Rights commission rounds in on parties registrar and RPC

The chairman of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRGG), Mr Justice (rtd) Amir Manento, displays in Dar es Salaam yesterday a summary of the commission’s statement on the killing of television journalist Daudi Mwangosi. With him is CHRGG vice chairperson Mahfoudha Hamid. PHOTO | RAFAEL LUBAVA

By The Citizen Team
Dar es Salaam. The Human Rights and Good Governance Commission has pointed an accusing finger against police and the registrar of political parties in connection with acts of violation of human rights and principles of good governance leading to events that caused the killing of Iringa-based TV journalist Daudi Mwangosi early last month.

In its report released yesterday -- showing the Commission’s findings on politically-linked chaos -- it said Iringa Regional Police Commander Michael Kamuhanda and registrar of political parties John Tendwa violated aspects of principles of good governance and human rights.

The report came just a day after two other reports on the same issue were released by committees appointed by Home Affairs minister Emmanuel Nchimbi and the Media Council of Tanzania/Editors’ Forum.

Releasing the report in Dar es Salaam, Human Rights and Good Governance Commission chairman Judge (rtd) Amir Manento said Kamuhanda’s move to ban Chademas’ indoor meetings and other activities formerly allowed by Mufindi officer commanding District  (OCD) was against the political parties Act.
“The Mufindi OCD is the police officer in charge in the district. His acceptance of Chademas’ notice to carry their political businesses in the area were not supposed to be intervened by the RPC. The intervention was against aspects of good governance,” said Judge Manento.
He added: “The registrar of political parties, Mr John Tendwa, circulated letters that ordered political parties to postpone their activities pending extension of the census activity. This letter contravened the 2002 Statistics Acts No. 1 that allows the public to continue with other business during the census process,” said the retired principal judge.
Judge Manento said the mandate to anything connected to census issues were reserved to the Census commissioner general, as such the registrar’s act amounted to abuse of aspects of good governance.
Explaining about the police conduct, Judge Manento said they acted contrary to sections 8 (1) and 18 (b) and (c) of the country’s Constitution which enshrines the right to free access to information by the public.
“This right was usurped by police in Iringa since journalists and Chadema followers were restricted from carrying their informative and political activities.
“According to the Criminal Case Proceedings Act, Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, police violated people’s right to life, right to equality before the law and the right to gatherings and free expression,” said Judge Manento.
Reported by Louis Kolumbia, Alex Bitekeye and Elisha Magolanga