UK Ambassador for Human Rights Eleanor Sanders arrived in Tanzania on Oct. 20 ahead of a United Nations (UN) review, with plans to hear community views on the country’s rights record.
During her Dar es Salaam visit, Sanders plans to collect views from media representatives, faith institutions, pastoralist communities, political parties and rights groups. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said the discussions will bring different perspectives into exchanges about dialogue and international cooperation in support of inclusive societies.
Sanders said she wants to understand “where rights are under pressure” and discuss accountability and respect for fundamental freedoms. The FCDO announcement lists Sanders as the UK’s human rights ambassador and says she serves as deputy permanent representative in Geneva to the United Nations and other international organizations. Sanders described Tanzania as an important UK partner and a significant regional actor.
Her program includes visits to UK-supported initiatives seeking to make sexual and reproductive health supplies more accessible to women and girls, alongside efforts to counter human trafficking. British High Commissioner to Tanzania Marianne Young said the visit offers a chance to exchange perspectives and deepen engagement on shared issues, including health access and trafficking.
The Universal Periodic Review is a UN process for examining countries’ human rights records. Governments can report progress, identify challenges and consider recommendations on promoting and protecting rights. The FCDO described Tanzania’s review as forthcoming but did not give a date.
The visit comes amid scrutiny of Tanzania’s human rights record. Reuters reported that opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s detention and alleged abductions of government critics have drawn attention to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s record. Reuters also reported that Tanzania’s government disputes claims of widespread abuses and says it remains committed to human rights. EconoTimes previously reported on Lissu’s hunger strike over access to his lawyers.
