The United Nations Human Rights Council is conducting reviews of the human rights situation in Tanzania and 14 other countries through the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. The reviews started on November 2, 2026, and Tanzania's review is scheduled for Thursday, November 5, from 14:30 to 18:00. This review is part of the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review Working Group, which will be held in Geneva from November 2 to 13, 2026.
The Universal Periodic Review is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council that calls for each UN Member State to undergo a human rights peer review every four-and-a-half years. During this review, the country under review presents its efforts to fulfill its human rights obligations and commitments, particularly since its last review. An interactive dialogue between the country under review and the UPR Working Group and observer States is also scheduled.
The review session for Tanzania will be facilitated by a group of three Human Rights Council States members from different regional groups, also called troikas, who act as rapporteurs. The troikas were selected through a drawing of lots on January 8, 2026, during an organizational meeting of the Human Rights Council. The review is based on several documents, including a national report prepared by the State concerned, a UN compilation of information from relevant UN mechanisms and entities, and a summary of stakeholders' information.
The objectives of the Universal Periodic Review are the improvement of the human rights situation on the ground, the fulfillment of the State's human rights obligations and commitments, and the assessment of positive developments and challenges faced by the State. The review also aims to enhance technical assistance, share best practices among States and other stakeholders, and support cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights.
A total of 14 States are scheduled to be reviewed by the UPR Working Group during this 53rd session, including Suriname, Greece, Samoa, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Hungary, Papua New Guinea, Tajikistan, the United Republic of Tanzania, Antigua and Barbuda, Eswatini, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, Ireland, and the United States of America. This will be the fourth time these 14 States undergo a UPR review.
The adoption of the reports on all countries, containing the recommendations received during their respective interactive dialogue, will take place on Friday, November 13, 2026, starting at 14:30. The final review outcomes of the 53rd session of the UPR Working Group will be adopted by the plenary of the Human Rights Council at its 64th regular session, taking place in February-April 2027.
The implementation of UPR recommendations aims to strengthen national human rights protection systems. In addressing the root causes of human rights violations, the implementation of recommendations can have a preventive effect. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights supports States in the follow-up and implementation of UPR outcomes.
Key points
- Tanzania's human rights record is being reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism.
- The review session for Tanzania is scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026, from 14:30 to 18:00.
- The Universal Periodic Review aims to improve the human rights situation on the ground and strengthen national human rights protection systems.
