Date of publication:
01/07/2026
United Republic of Tanzania (the)
Do domestic laws and policies provide for protection from refoulement?
Assessment by population
Analysis
Tanzania is a signatory to key international instruments that enshrine the principle of non-refoulement, including the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, as well as the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. The principle of non-refoulement prohibits the expulsion or return of a refugee to a territory where their life or freedom would be threatened. Tanzania has domesticated these international obligations primarily through the Refugees Act No. 9 of 1998, which provides the legal framework for the treatment of refugees and asylum-seekers in the country.
Under the domestic legal regime, Tanzania incorporates the principle of non-refoulement and outlines procedures for the admission, recognition, and protection of asylum-seekers. The law also assigns the Minister responsible for Home Affairs and the National Eligibility Committee the authority to grant or deny asylum.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
The Refugee Act
- Year: 1999
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6b50bf.html
Legal provision
Section 12.2 - Permit to remain in Tanzania
An authorized officer appointed in that behalf shall not refuse asylum seeker or refugee a permit under this section if the officer has reason to believe that the refusal of a permit will necessitate the return of the asylum seeker or refugee to the territory from which he entered Tanzania and that the asylum seeker or refugee will be tried or punished for an offence of a political character after arrival in that territory or is likely to be persecuted in that territory. The auhorised officer may however, subject to assigning a valid reason after approval of the Director refuse to issue a permit.