– the 2007 right to Information Bill and the 2008 Media Services Bill - Government has not taken this forward. The CRM was given no reasons for government inaction. 268. Given all these limitations, the CRM notes that access to information is problematic for all sectors of Tanzanian society. This restricts the public’s ability to proactively monitor issues affecting them. Government workers themselves also highlighted difficulties in accessing key information needed for informed planning. It emerged during the CRM interactions that journalists on Mainland Tanzania are denied entry or turned away from certain premises while, in Pemba, the public expressed frustration about the way they are treated when attempting to seek information. Given that over 70 per cent of the population is made up of rural dwellers, information about various matters of national, political, social, cultural and economic significance must be constantly accessible and available. 269. The CRM also learnt that, contrary to what pertains in urban areas, rural populations lack the necessary communication infrastructure to access information through newspapers and the internet. Even when the number of media outlets increase, the CRM found that, to a large extent, grassroots communities have no voice or forums for information exchange. This prevents them from actively demanding accountability of local authorities or participating effectively in making decisions that affect them.40 The absence of an enabling law on the right to information therefore continues to disempower sectors and citizens from participating in their own governance and enhancing accountability. Freedom of assembly 270. As noted in the CSAR, freedom of assembly is provided for under the Constitution of Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. In Mainland Tanzania, this right has been publicly expressed through demonstrations and assemblies. The CRM learnt that the improper application of the Police Act jepoardises the freedom of assembly. The law requires that conveners of meetings and demonstrations must notify the police to secure a permit for the meeting. However, the CRM was given examples of police using their own discretion to ban these meetings even after having received notification on time. The practice is more pronounced with political parties than with other groups. In October 2011, CHADEMA informed the police by letter about an intended meeting at Dodoma, but the police responded a few hours before the meeting prohibiting them from proceeding. Those who were on site preparing for the meeting were arrested. Other incidences abound.41 271. In Dodoma, the CRM was told that police receive human rights training aiming to change the officers’ attitudes and practices in conducting their duties. In addition, officers were being exposed to community policing initiatives to build public trust. However, the CRM noticed that the impact of these initiatives was being questioned given that district and regional security councils comprised military personnel without any representation from the people. They are chaired by the District Commissioner, a political appointee. While a Village Security Council is made up by the people with no representation from security organs, it stills report to the District Commissioner who chairs the District Security Committee. This structure invariably strengthens the ability of the police to protect the current regime instead of adopting a democratic policing model in which the citizens’ sense of public security is assured and restored. Right to life 272. Although the right to life is guaranteed by the Constitution, the CRM confirmed the CSAR assertion that, in Tanzania, this right is under threat in many ways. A good but depressing example involves persons with albinism who not only face stigma and discrimination, but also the threat of death. Between 2006 and 2010, at least 58 persons with albinism were killed, the majority of whom were children.42 These attacks are motivated by a combination of superstition, deep-rooted discrimination, and trade in body parts for ritual purposes. Elderly The Role of Community Media in Tanzania: Challenges and Opportunities for Democratization and National Development, p. 201, 2011. In 2011, Police reportedly used force to disperse students who were demonstrating against high fees and some were suspended. Petty traders in Mbyea also demonstrated in 2011 against the trading on pavements removal order and police used live ammunition resulting in death. The strong concerns against strikes and demonstrations as an importation from the west were raised and point to the need for civic education on the purpose and conduct of such activity in the changing democratic environment in Tanzania. 42 UPR, p. 8. 40 41 71