legal human rights centre et tanzania human rights defenders coalition c republique unie de tanzanie requete n 0392020 2023 achpr 16 13 juin 2023

legal human rights centre et tanzania human rights defenders coalition c republique unie de tanzanie requete n 0392020 2023 achpr 16 13 juin 2023

The Court found that article 148(5)(b), (c), and (e) of the Tanzanian Criminal Procedure Code violates articles 1, 2, and 7 of the African Charter by imposing blanket prohibitions on bail for certain categories of accused persons, thereby resulting in discrimination, violating the presumption of innocence, and...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
legal human rights centre et tanzania human rights defenders coalition c republique unie de tanzanie requete n 0392020 2023 achpr 16 13 juin 2023
Parties
Applicant: Legal & Human Rights Centre; Applicant: Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition; Respondent: République-Unie de Tanzanie
Court
ACHPR
Jurisdiction
Tanzania
Judgment Date
1 January 2023
Procedural Posture
Human Rights Application / Final Judgment
Outcome
Application allowed in part; violations found; reparations ordered.
Legal Topics
Non Discrimination, Presumption of Innocence, Right to Fair Trial, Judicial Discretion, Bail, Legislative Compliance With Human Rights, Remedies for Human Rights Violations
Source Language
en
Human Rights Law Constitutional Law Criminal Procedure Non Discrimination Presumption of Innocence Right to Fair Trial Judicial Discretion Bail +2 more

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 16 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Legal & Human Rights Centre

Applicant

Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition

Applicant

République-Unie de Tanzanie

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Human Rights Application / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether article 148(5)(b), (c), and (e) of the Tanzanian Criminal Procedure Code violates articles 1, 2, and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
  2. 2 Whether the impugned provisions unlawfully restrict judicial discretion and the right to bail
  3. 3 Whether the impugned provisions result in discrimination and violate the presumption of innocence

Ratio Decidendi

The Court found that article 148(5)(b), (c), and (e) of the Tanzanian Criminal Procedure Code violates articles 1, 2, and 7 of the African Charter by imposing blanket prohibitions on bail for certain categories of accused persons, thereby resulting in discrimination, violating the presumption of innocence, and depriving courts of necessary judicial discretion. The impugned provisions are neither necessary nor proportionate to the aims pursued and cannot be justified under the Charter.

Court Disposition

Application allowed in part; violations found; reparations ordered.

Orders

  • State must amend article 148(5) of the Criminal Procedure Code within two years to comply with the Charter.
  • State must publish the judgment on official government websites within three months and keep it accessible for at least one year.