Date of publication:
01/08/2026
United Republic of Tanzania (the)
Do domestic laws and policies provide for humane and dignified conditions of detention for forcibly displaced and stateless persons?
Assessment by population
Analysis
Tanzania has historically been a refuge for individuals fleeing conflicts in neighboring countries, notably Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The nation's legal framework, including the Refugees Act of 1998 and the Immigration Act of 1995, outlines procedures for handling asylum seekers, refugees, and other non-citizens. While these laws incorporate procedural safeguards, such as informing detainees of reasons for arrest and provisions for inquiries into detention decisions, challenges persist in their consistent application. Notably, the encampment policy restricts refugees' freedom of movement, and there have been instances where individuals, including those with disputed nationality status, have faced detention without adequate procedural protections.
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
Article 15.2 - Right to Freedom
For the purposes of preserving individual freedom and the right to live as a free person, no person shall be arrested, imprisoned, confined, detained, deported or otherwise be deprived of his freedom save only— under circumstances and in accordance with procedures prescribed by law; or in the execution of a judgment, order or a sentence given or passed by the court following a decision in a legal proceeding or a conviction for a criminal offence.
Article 15.1 - Right to personal freedom
Every person has the right to freedom and to freedom live as a free person.
Immigration Act
- Year: 1995
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Freedom of movement
- Link to external source: https://procedures.tic.go.tz/media/IMMIGRATION%20ACT%20CAP%2054%202016.pdf
Legal provision
Section 36.2 - Reasons for Arrest or Search
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), no person shall be entitled to be informed as to the grounds on which a decision has been made relating to his being declared a prohibited immigrant or to an order for his deportation.