UN EMPHASIS THE MATTER OF POLICY PRIORITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS FOR CHILDREN IN TANZANIA

Unicef Representative Dorothy Rozga speaking at the Launch of Inspection Report for Children in Detention Facilities in Tanzania held at Tanzania Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance in Dar es Salaam.

It's Official Launched.

Commissioner for Human Rights and Good Governance Honorable Mr. Ali Rajab marked the Launching of Inspection Report for Children in Detention Facilities in Tanzania held at the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance Office in Dar es Salaam, Centre is Director of Public Prosecution Honorable Mr.Elieza Feleshi.

Director of Public Prosecution Honorable Mr.Elieza Feleshi addressing the audience on inspection report for Children in Detention Facilities in Tanzania Launch. To the right is Commissioner for Human Rights and Good Governance Honorable Mr. Ali Rajab and left Commissioner for CHRAGG Mercy Masei.

The Director for research and Document of Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance Ms.Epiphania Mfundo emphasis on the Inspection Report for Children in Detention Facilities in Tanzania in Dar es Salaam

The Acting UN Resident Coordinator Vibeke Jensen (the first left) giving remarks about the condition of Children  Detention Facilities in Tanzania. The Launch Function was Cordinated by Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance and United Nations.

Some of the stake holders attended on launching making follow up on the Launching.

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Press Launch of Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance

Children in Detention Assessment

2 August 2011

Background and Statement

 UN Resident Coordinator a.i. Ms Vibeke Jensen

Background: Considering conditions of children encountered during regular prison monitoring in 2008 to 10, CHRAGG undertook an exclusive child detention assessment in early 2011.  This assessment involved an extensive desk review and inspection visits to 65 detention centers.  During the inspection visits, 144 detention facility officers were interviewed and 491 children directly involved.  The report from this assessment was circulated among relevant stakeholders prior to its finalization and a roundtable discussion reviewing its key findings chaired by the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs was held on 8 July, where a number of joint Government-CHRAGG-DP positions as regards the recommendations of the report were adopted (enclosed).  Endorsement of the report including its recommendations, as well as an acknowledgement of the critical role of the Juvenile Justice Forum in terms of follow-up, is perhaps the most significant of those positions. 

  Support for a press event, involving CHRAGG, Government institutions and other concerned entities, was a third position. The assessment and the report are sponsored by the Legal Sector Reform Programme, with technical advice provided by UNICEF, among others.

Dear colleagues from the Legal Sector Reform Programme; 

Statement:

Honorable Mr. Feleshi, Director of Public Prosecution;

Honorable Mr. Ali Rajab, Commissioner for Human Rights and Good Governance;

Honorable Mr Robert Orr, High Commissioner to the High Commission of Canada;  

Distinguished Government representatives, senior officials from the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance and civil society officers;

Respected members from the media;

On behalf of the UN Country Team and as the acting UN Resident Coordinator, I thank the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance for hosting this event.  I note the kind remarks and welcome points raised by previous speakers, including, in particular by Mr. Feleshi.  

AS A MATTER OF POLICY PRIORITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS, the United Nations maintains that any child in conflict with the law has the right to the attention, care and treatment needed for a swift and lasting rehabilitation.  

A coordinated and comprehensive response, involving not only justice, police and correction services, but also educational, health and social institutions can make this possible.  Parents or legal custodians have an equally important role to play in the appropriate upbringing of children in conflict with the law.  

The United Nations Country Team appreciates the efforts made by the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance for increasing our awareness about salient challenges in Tanzania and welcomes the Government’s attention to the findings made in this assessment

We look forward to continued partnership with the Government in favor of implementing the report’s recommendations and we commit to mainstream concerns raised in areas of education,health,nutrition and social protection.As to our more specific views on the way forward for the system itself,I kindly direct your attention to my colleague Ms.Dorothy Rozga,UNICEF Representative,speaking on behalf of the Legal Sector Reform Programme Development Partners’ Group. 

Asanteni sana.