TED Partner Country Engagement: Mission in Tanzania

Tanzania​ - Criminal Justice Reform  

Context background

Given the recent democratic progress under President Samila Suluhu Hassan's leadership, the European Delegation (EUD) to Tanzania recognised an opportunity to collaborate with EU Member States (MS) in advancing democracy in the country.  

The support mission  

In January 2024, TED conducted a technical study on criminal justice in Tanzania. The study focused on the challenges within the criminal justice system and evaluated the effectiveness of the ongoing reform efforts spearheaded by the Othman Chande Commission. Additionally, it examined potential ways to augment the support extended by the EU and EU MS to the reform process. 

Stakeholders involved

Extensive exchanges took place with EU MS actively involved in criminal justice and reform, as well as with national civil society organisations, development agencies and national institutions. 

Key messages  

While the EU and EU MS extend support in addressing certain challenges in the Tanzanian criminal justice system and reforms, there remains room for further improvement. This includes addressing the needs of victims and survivors of Sexual and Gender-based Violence and improving access to justice and legal aid for a diverse range of system users, such as women, children, witnesses, and whistleblowers. 

The study also draws lessons from regional experiences, such as legal aid provision in prisons (Zambia and Kenya), inter-institutional coordination in justice (Uganda, Malawi and Kenya), efforts to reduce prison overcrowding (Malawi), and death penalty abolition (South Africa and Zimbabwe).  

Additionally, it extracts good practices and lessons learned from the experiences of EU MS themselves in criminal justice reform. Tanzania can capitalise on these regional and EU MS experiences, alongside implementing the recommendations set forth by the Othman Chande Commission.