BRIEF PRESENTATION OF AN ADVOCACY STRATEGY FOR THE COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND GOOD GOVERNANCE OF TANZANIA

Human Security issue Horrific Killings of Persons with Albinism in Tanzania: Presenter: Jamila Sulu

About the organization Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (Tanzania) Independent Government Dept. Broad legal mandate Paris Principles Compliant (Status “A”) Best Managed Public Institution in Africa & Tanzania

About the organization (cont…) Functions: Handling Human rights Complaints Investigation, public enquiries Research, monitoring, Public awareness Advisory role to government

Issue: Killing of albinos in Tanzania Killing of Albinos in Tanzania is a sad reality. The saddest thing is that the killings are still happening. There are about 300,000 in the country. 106 attacked (77 killed, 29 mutilated and survived).

Issue…(Cont) Killings founded on superstitious belief that albinos are not normal human beings. Have supernatural powers that bring fortunes (power and wealth). Perpetrators are hired men, fortune seekers and close family members.

Killing by machetes: chopping off legs, arms, wrists, hair and blood sucking in some cases. Targeting women and children mostly. Some children killed on the way to school.

Causes Economic: (wealth and power) Cultural: Albinos have in- born supernatural powers

Impact Human security issue Economically: Albinos can’t engage in productive activities for fear of attack. Socially: Children can’t go to school, families separated – some flee to urban centres. Politically: tarnished country image.

Actors Central and Local Government Parliament Judiciary CSOs Political parties Business community Opinion & religious leaders General public

Campaign objectives (i)Adopt preventive policy. (ii) Amend Penal laws. (iii) Create public awareness on albino rights. Note: Critical path to be followed

Campaign scope and timeframe Timeframe: 2013 – 2016 Reach out: Central and local government authorities & agencies Communities: Lake Victoria Zone, Kigoma and Rukwa regions. 10 million people across the country.

Monitoring and evaluation Framework developed to monitor achievement of objectives. Indicators Means of verification

Campaign goals Public awareness of albino rights No more atrocities against albinos Mobilize all actors to take action

Campaign Message To Government: Adopt effective measures to protect lives of albinos. To Public: Take action to protect life, report to relevant authorities. To CSOs: Intensify awareness campaigns and charity services. To Business Community / Power mongers: Do away with deadly belief.

Lobbying Policy brief Outline cause and scope, Impact: economically, socially, politically, Solutions: Preventive policy – construction of safe houses Political commitment to uphold human rights, Number of albinos is manageable.

Popular Mobilization Targets: Women and Children: because the mostly affected. Rural community: Attacks happen there Government: Main actor. General public: Popular voice

Mobilization Actions Open discussions Parliamentary debates International community voice Demonstrations Petition signing Artistic events

Media involvement Traditional and social media Television Radio Newspapers Twitter / Facebook Mobile phones NB: Have wider audiences

Strengths and Weaknesses of the organization (CHRAGG) Strengths Broad legal mandate Adequate human resource Credibility (locally and internationally) Good working relationship with multilateral and bilateral partners

Weaknesses Inadequate funding from the government budget Lack of professional skills (some staff members)

Opportunities Public support Parliament support (Union & HoR) Risks Lack of political Bad laws Low awareness of human rights

Action Plan (Year One) Activities Country-wide survey to assess living conditions of albinos High level consultative meetings (Cabinet, Parliamentary committees, Line MDAs) Stakeholders meetings (CSOs, academia, Business community) Draft Preventive policy

The problem is real! Let us take action! Thank you.

The problem is real!