Date of publication:
01/08/2026
United Republic of Tanzania (the)
Do domestic laws and policies provide for refugees and stateless persons who are denied the rights covered in this category (permanent residency status, naturalization, non-discrimination, and the freedoms of expression, assembly, association and religio
Assessment by population
Analysis
The Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania establishes the principle of equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on various grounds. However, it does not explicitly include displacement or statelessness as protected categories, nor does it detail specific remedies for individuals who face discrimination based on these statuses.
The Refugees Act of 1998 governs the recognition, rights, and management of refugees in Tanzania. While the Act provides certain procedural rights, such as the ability to appeal decisions related to refugee status determination and deportation orders, it does not explicitly address the right of refugees or stateless persons to seek remedies in cases of discrimination.
In practice, the lack of explicit legal provisions and mechanisms means that forcibly displaced and stateless individuals may face challenges in seeking redress for discriminatory acts. The general non-discrimination clauses in the Constitution are broad and do not provide specific guidance or procedures for addressing discrimination against these vulnerable groups. As a result, individuals may encounter difficulties in accessing effective remedies through administrative or judicial channels.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania
- Year: 1977
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.parliament.go.tz/uploads/documents/publications/en/1475140028-The%20Constitution.pdf
Legal provision
Section 13.1 - Equality before the law
All people are equal before the law, and have the right, without discrimination of any king, to be protected and to be accorded equal justice before the law. .
Section 13.5 - Equality before the law
For the purpose of interpreting the conditions in this paragraph, the word "discrimination" means meeting the needs, rights or other requirements of different people based on their nationality, tribe, their origin, their political affiliation, color, religion or their lifestyles in such a way that certain people are made or considered inferior and subjected to restrictions or conditions of restrictions whereas other people are treated differently or are given opportunities or benefits that are outside the conditions or compulsory restrictions.
Section 13.2 - Equality before the law
It is forbidden for any law enacted by any Authority in the Union Republic to impose any condition which is of a discriminatory the Union Republic to impose any condition which is of a discriminatory nature or which is obviously to one's disadvantage.
Section 13.3- Equality before the law
The rights of the people, the well-being and interests of everyone and the society will be protected and arbitrated by the courts and other instruments of authority laid down by the Law and in accordance with the Law.