1.1 Introduction

The Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) is a non-governmental, non-partisan human rights organization registered under the Non-Governmental Organizations Act of 2002 in Tanzania Mainland and as society under the Societies Act of 1995 (Act No. 6) on part of Zanzibar. THRDC is a Human Rights Defenders umbrella organization with a total of 250 member organizations from both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. Its membership and representation in terms of operations and thematic areas is spread through 11 designated zonal coordinating units and 14 members thematic areas all over the United Republic of Tanzania respectively. THRDC has two offices with its headquarters located in Dar es Salaam and its branch in Zanzibar.

The long-term goal of the Coalition is to see a free and secured environment for human rights defenders (HRDs) in Tanzania, and to ensure HRDs in Tanzania carries out their essential work free from harm and repression, in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders of 1998. The ultimate result of all these, as this coalition visualizes, is a contribution to the creation of safer working environment for HRDs. HRDs are organizations or individual who work to protect and promote other rights including Journalists, Lawyers, Human Rights Institutions etc. Among the HRDs who work with the Coalitions are advocates, journalists, and individual human rights defenders.

1.2 About the Assignment

The situation of Human Rights Defenders in Tanzania in the past 7 years has continued to be hectic given the increased number of violations against HRDs who are working to defend human rights. The report on Human Rights Defenders and Civic Space in Tanzania shows that for the year 2017 at least 52 incidents of violations of HRDs rights were recorded while in 2018 there was an increase by 6 incidents and in 2019, 71 incidents were recorded making an increase of 13 incidents. Additionally, in 2020, 2021 and 2022 the number of supported HRDs increased from 87, 113 to 278 respectively.

THRDC has been providing various supports support to human rights defenders in the Tanzania since its establishment at various levels and capacities. These includes empowerment programs (capacity building on litigation strategies, risk assessment and management, digital security etc), meetings with various government authorities including government ministries and other departments to secure their recognition, protection services, engagement programs at local, regional, and international including UN mechanisms i.e. litigating at regional or internal courts.

Despite of the interventions which have been regularly conducted by THRDC to secure HRDs operational spaces, still are being faced by different challenges which hinders their effective engagements in promoting and protecting human rights. The challenges vary from political, social, legal, and internal challenges that affect the operations in different ways. Absence of the legal and policy framework recognizing their roles and presence of unfavorable political and legal environment have been found to be the most challenging grounds for HRDs to operate without fear in the country. HRDs are at times faced by tough administrative measures that affect their freedom of operation.

Through the said challenges which faces HRDs, some of them finds themselves in more harder situations including being arrested and convicted for some malicious cases. This has contributed to increased HRDs who are being arraigned in courts, arrested, and taken to police stations and sometimes held in prisons while investigations are going on.  Taking note of the challenges, the study must be commissioned to assess the situation of HRDs in courts, Police stations and prisons for the effective promotion and protection of their rights. Therefore, THRDC is looking for a competent consultancy firm/ consultant to undertake the study about HRDs in courts, Police stations and prisons in Tanzania.

2.0  Assignment Objective and Deliverables.

2.1  Main Objective.

The objective of this assignment is to conduct the study on the situation of HRDs in courts, police stations and prisons.

2.2  Specific objectives.

      i.         To assess the trend of HRDs being arraigned into court, police station and prisons for the past one (1) year as the results of human rights protection roles.

    ii.         To identify the challenges/ threats facing HRDs in courts, police station and prisons

   iii.         To recommend for the best options to improve the protection of HRDs rights in courts, police stations and prisons.

 

2.3  Assignment Deliverable

A comprehensive report on the situation of human rights defenders in courts, police stations and prisons documenting the trend of HRDs being arraigned to court, police station and prisons; challenges/ threats facing the same and recommendations for the best ways to improve the protection of HRDs rights court, police stations and prisons.

 

3.0  Methodology

The survey shall involve various methodologies to ensure the reasonable representation of HRDs. The consultant is expected to use different measures to meet (virtually/ physically) with the selected HRDs, Magistrates, Judges and Police. The survey shall involve both primary and secondary data collection methodologies. The survey should consider the HRDs geographical setup while sampling.

3.1   Survey Methods

The following methods shall be used.

      i.         One to one interview

    ii.         Online Questionnaires (for interviewees that cannot be reached physically)

   iii.         Focused Group Discussion

   iv.         Desk/Literature Review

 

3.2  Assignment Duration

The assignment shall take one month after signing the agreement. The timing for data collection needs to be settled by the evaluator in dialogue with the main respondents to be interviewed.

4.0  Application Modality

4.1  Interested consultants/firm must submit the following documents:

 

a)    Technical and Financial Proposal

i.         Signed Cover letter.

ii.         Technical proposal (maximum of 10 pages), which should include the following:

(a)   Proposed program and methodology to be used in carrying out the study.

(b)  Understanding Assignment requirements

(c)   Consultants experience in delivering a similar work.

iii.          Financial proposal specifying the cost allocations (in TZS).

iv.         Current CV, maximum of 5 pages (Relevant to the assignment)

v.         Reference persons (with telephone numbers and e-email addresses) should be stated.

 

b)    Individual/ Firm Legal Operational Documents

      i.         Company/ Individual profile

    ii.         Copy of certified certificate of registration

   iii.         Certified copy of business license

   iv.         Certified copy of TIN certificate

     v.         Copy of the original tax clearance certificate

4.2 Submission/ Tendering

Soft copies of the documents should be submitted to info@thrdc.or.tz, with the subject line “study on the situation of HRDs in courts, Police stations and prisons” or delivered physically addressed to

The National Coordinator,

Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition,

P. O Box 105926, Dar es Salaam.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further processes.

The deadline for applications is on 10^th November 2023 at 17:00hrs.

NB: Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition is a free and fair entity, and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply.