Human Rights Monitoring and Response strategy addresses the increasing scale of human rights abuses requiring direct intervention by LHRC. This approach enhances the capacity of frontline defenders and community activists, integrates response mechanisms across LHRC programs, and establishes detailed guidelines for standardized efforts. It also includes an emergency response fund and psychosocial services to support victims, while improved referral systems enhance efficient case handling.

The approach is complemented by mobile legal aid clinics that serve underserved communities, encouraging and engaging citizens to actively condemn abuses. Additionally, this approach focuses on strengthening the capacity of Friends of Haki to report and respond to human rights violations effectively. LHRC reaffirms its commitment to defending and promoting human rights effectively and sustainably through these initiatives.

LHRC is committed to advancing a more democratic and rights-based society by advocating for an improved policy and legal environment through national, regional, and international platforms. The department work is centered on strengthening the socio-economic legal framework, criminal justice systems, and climate change; promoting digital rights; enhancing democratic governance; and protecting human rights through evidence-based advocacy.

Additionally, LHRC advocacy efforts focus on legal and policy reforms that uphold the rule of law, ensure access to justice for all, and protect the rights of individuals within the justice system. The department is responsible for engaging policymakers, the judiciary, academia, like-minded organizations, legal experts, and civil society’s urge for systemic reforms.

Specifically, the department is responsible for advocating for a policy and legal environment that promotes climate resilience and safeguards consumer rights. A deliberate intervention is designated to advocate for a functional environmental justice system in place and robust consumer protection frameworks through evidence-based advocacy.

By recognizing the importance of technology in facilitating freedom of expression, the department advocates for policies and legal frameworks that protect online freedoms, data privacy, and access to information. The unit works by putting deliberate intervention against digital censorship, surveillance, and restrictive internet laws while promoting an open and inclusive digital space that allows for free expression, innovation, and access to critical online resources.

Moreover, the department oversees all programs centered around democratic governance. It champions reforms that promote inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, and civic participation in governance while safeguarding electoral integrity.

Also, the department is driving meaningful legal reform through strategic litigation, using court channels to challenge injustices and shape laws and practices. Ultimately promoting human rights through the utilization of national, regional, and international courts.

LHRC’s advocacy is grounded in data-driven approaches through research and strategic engagement with the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, sectoral ministries, and human rights champions to ensure a quality and responsive intervention towards protecting civil and political rights as well as socio-economic rights. This will ultimately ensure a just and equitable society.

At LHRC, we are committed to fostering an inclusive society where gender equality, empowerment of women, protection of children, and support for individuals with disabilities are central to our mission. At LHRC, we prioritize initiatives that support gender equality, uplift women, safeguard children, and advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities. Our programs are designed to break down barriers, provide opportunities for growth and education, and ensure a society where everyone has the chance to thrive. This is realized through legal empowerment and social accountability by ensuring laws are implemented, amended, enacted, and conform to international human rights standards to cater for the needs of these groups.

We believe in a world where gender does not limit one's potential. Our initiatives focus on promoting gender equality through various avenues, including education, legal analysis and reforms, Legal aid, advocacy, and awareness campaigns on GBV, Child abuse, and the rights of these groups. By breaking stereotypes and fostering environments of inclusivity, we aim to empower individuals of all genders to reach their full potential.

Children are the future, and ensuring their well-being is paramount. Our initiatives focus on safeguarding children's rights, providing access to education, healthcare, and protection from exploitation and abuse. We work closely with communities and stakeholders to create safe spaces where children can grow, learn, and flourish.

We advocate for the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Our programs aim to remove barriers to accessing education, employment, and healthcare. Through awareness campaigns, accessibility initiatives, and legal reforms, we strive to create a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of ability, can fully participate and contribute.

At LHRC, we believe that inclusion is not just a goal; it's a fundamental value that drives positive change. Together, we can build a society where every individual's potential is recognized and realized, irrespective of gender, sex, age, or ability.

 

 

 

 

 

Research is one of LHRC’s key programs, aiming to ensure the availability of data and information to support evidence-based advocacy initiatives. The primary objective of LHRC’s research program is to document human rights issues and violations and to conduct research on selected human rights topics or issues. This research generates data and information that are used to support advocacy and empowerment initiatives of LHRC and other stakeholders.

The program oversees the collection of data from both internal and external sources, as well as the analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of research findings. Key deliverables under this program include the Tanzania Human Rights Report and the Human Rights and Business Report, which have become leading references to the human rights situation in Tanzania.

Through this program, LHRC also collaborates with partners and like-minded organizations within Tanzania and beyond to carry out research-related activities.

The corporate accountability and environmental justice unit aims to improve the country's compliance with international, regional, and human rights standards. It seeks to ensure that corporations must comply with and adhere to human rights principles during their operations. The unit works to ensure that the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights are followed, as well as the standards of responsible business conduct. The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights serve as a foundational framework for businesses looking to incorporate human rights into their operations. Its stance is on ensuring compliance with the state's duty to protect, corporate responsibility to respect, and access to remedy. Adopting a robust business and human rights program not only helps companies fulfill their ethical responsibilities but also contributes to long-term sustainability and positive relationships with stakeholders.

The program improves understanding of policies, practices, and initiatives implemented by businesses to ensure that their operations respect and promote human rights. As companies are increasingly held accountable for their social and environmental impacts, this concept has gained traction. Policy development and implementation, due diligence, stakeholder engagement, training and awareness, reporting and transparency, legal compliance, and remedy mechanisms are all part of the program's goal of improving responsible business conduct.

 

 

Since 1995 the organization has been utilizing a combination of advocacy approaches to advocate for a citizens-centered constitution which sparked societal dialogues for the demand of a new constitution in the country. LHRC embraces technology by hosting a digital archive with abundant constitutional-related resources branded as the “Katiba Database” which enriches a large part of interested civil society, journalists, faith-based organizations, and academia.

In line with the constitution’s demand, the unit leads the organization on various observation missions in civic and general elections which resulted in gradual electoral legal reforms.

LHRC's approach to promoting access to justice and human rights through media and grassroots engagement is comprehensive and impactful. The use of both traditional media outlets like community radios and digital platforms helps reach millions of listeners across various zones in the country. This approach facilitates education, empowerment, and motivation among grassroots communities.

The involvement of over 20 community radios in specific zones ensures a broad reach, allowing facilitators to educate and inform listeners on human rights issues. Monthly timetables and reports submitted by these radios help track and assess the impact of their work, ensuring accountability and effectiveness.

Moreover, the utilization of paralegals is a strategic way to reach communities at the grassroots level. With over 633 paralegals operating across focused zones, they play a crucial role in educating communities on various human rights topics according to a structured timetable. Their work aims to contribute to the establishment of a fair and just society.

This combined approach of utilizing media outlets and paralegals enables the dissemination of crucial information and empowers communities to understand and advocate for their rights. Ultimately, it contributes significantly to promoting accountability, access to justice, and the protection of human rights in diverse regions of the country.

The unit conducts close monitoring of parliamentary sessions, which helps the organization make follow-ups on decisions and specific policy issues to be adopted in the legislation-making process in the country.

Moreover, through a designated study, the unit proliferates a series of coordinated interventions to advocate for increased participation in governance and democratic spaces.

To magnify the advocacy initiatives, the unit ushers the organization to utilize regional and international forums to bring into action advocacy messages for the international community intervention in a respective policy issue.

The unit anchored its efforts on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 16, which envisages Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.