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Human rights commission says it’s toothless
2005-07-22 07:54:34
By Joyce Mkinga
The government backed Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance lack of legal powers is a big setback in execution of its duties, which has caused leaders and the public at large to lose faith in it. ’’The commission doesn’t have any legal bidding.
It just gives recommendation of the investigations done following complaints on human rights violation and good governance,’’ its chairman Judge Robert Kisanga said on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam.
Lack of legal powers sometimes has made people to waste their time when the commission’s recommendations are ignored by the responsible authorities, he said.
’’Victims have to go to court when our recommendations are ignored,’’ said Judge Kisanga adding in such eventualities it defeats the whole purpose why the commission was formed.
’’The commission was meant to ease people’s problems when seeking justice as far as human right issues are concerned. That is why its services are offered freely,’’ he said.
Judge Kisanga presenting his paper at the 13th Conference on State of Affairs in Tanzania at the University of Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, which was read on his behalf by his Deputy, Ambassador Mohamed Ramia, lamented leaders and public servants were ignoring the commission recommendations.
His paper was titled Human Rights and Good Governance, Evaluation on Government Efforts and other Institutions to develop Leadership Ethics and Public Servants, the Commission’s Perspective.
Judge Kisaga said the laws establishing the commission clearly stipulates recommendation are not decrees, he said.
He said leadership ethics call for respect of the electorate, wise use of powers and acceptance of criticism.
The Judge also lamented at times public servants delay or completely refuse to respond to the commission’s letters effectively hindering investigations.
Judge Kisanga said Tanzania needs to build a society of love, peace and tranquility and for the achievement to be made co-operation was necessary between the members of public and the government.
’’Both the public and the government are important in assisting the commission to implement its duties,’’ he said.
Upholding the commission and giving it teeth would be a sure way of ensuring human rights and good governance prevail and are protected and strengthened, he said.
Respect of human rights and good governance facilitates political, social and economic development, he said.
The department of Political Science and Public Administration of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) through Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (REDET) organised the conference.
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