CSO's role in new Tanzania constitution identified

CSO’s role in new Tanzania constitution identified

2012

NOVEMBER

20th

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have been challenged to address union structure, religion, tribe and equality in the new constitution, to ensure the new Katiba provides equal rights to all without discrimination.

The Executive Director of the Foundation for Civil Society, John Ulanga, said civil based societies are best placed to provide public education on good constitution and encourage the public to participate fully in giving their opinions to the Constitution review commission.

Ulanga who was closing the 10^th Civil Society Annual forum in Dar es Salaam noted that the CSOs should ensure that public opinions provided are incorporated in the new constitution.

He said a good constitution is one that respects human rights, noting that this can only be achieved if CSOs prepare the public well to give their opinions in the ongoing Constitution review exercise.

The ED also urged CSOs to provide constitution education in order to deal with emotions slowly rising as people share views on the matters touching the Union.

He said the experience had shown there were some tensions during debates on the new constitution that have to be contained.

Closing the forum, member of the Constitution Review Commission Ms Salama Kombo said the forum raised many issues that will be accommodated in the Constitution Review Process and challenged general public to continue providing their views without fear.

She said since the country looks forward to having its new constitution after over 50years of independence, there were many outdated issues in the current constitution that people can suggest for improvement.

Ms Kombo thanked the government particularly President Jakaya Kikwete for allowing the constitution review process to take off and maintained that the Commission will be careful in sorting out all the views.

Ms Kombo urged CSOs to give their opinion noting that CSOs representatives in the commission will ensure the opinions are included in the new constitution.