Date of publication:
08/21/2025
United Republic of Tanzania (the)
Do domestic laws and policies take into account the right to family life, the principle of family unity, and the best interests of the child in proceedings that may result in the expulsion or deportation of an individual?
Assessment by population
Analysis
Tanzania’s domestic laws governing refugees, particularly the Refugees Act of 1998, outline procedures for the expulsion or deportation of refugees. In practice, while the law provides a framework for such actions, it does not explicitly incorporate the principles of family unity or the best interests of the child into the expulsion or deportation proceedings.
When expulsion or deportation of refugees is considered, the authorities follow the procedures set out by the Refugees Act, which primarily focuses on the legal grounds for removal, such as violations of national laws or security concerns. In practice, family unity and the best interests of children are often considered informally during the decision-making process, particularly in cases involving families with children or vulnerable individuals.
In the context of family reunification or protection, Tanzanian authorities may take steps to ensure that family members are not separated during deportation. Similarly, in cases involving children, efforts are made to consider the child's well-being during deportation proceedings, although these considerations are generally secondary to the legal grounds for expulsion.