TANZANIA has refuted claims of threats and abuse against indigenous people, saying the reports were fabricated and baseless.

Prof Hamis Malebo, executive secretary for the National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) told the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) which is ongoing in the US that Tanzania was among the countries governed by principles of the rule of law.

“It is sad that the forum is wrongly used by being given false information which has no point of truth on indigenous people in Tanzania,” he said.

Prof Malebo said during the meeting he heard one of the representatives of the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) who accused the government of Tanzania of mistreating indigenous people.

He reminded the meeting that Tanzania has been a trusted partner and participant in the protection of the rights of indigenous people, saying it is committed to protecting them.

He said Tanzania’s stance is stipulated in the constitution where there are no indigenous people and that there was no group of people which is more important than the other.

Prof Malebo added that the government was not supporting incidents of violence and abuse against indigenous people, saying its officials were abiding by good governance principles.

He said that the government of Tanzania was a signatory to various international protocols on the protection of the economic, social and cultural rights of all its citizens based on the principles of human rights of equality and non-discrimination of its citizens.

“Article 18 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania provides for freedom of expression and there is no threats or harassment of citizens who raise their voices in accordance with the rule of law,” he said.

Prof Malebo emphasized that the government has continued to strengthen efforts to protect human rights by allowing, among other things, freedom of expression, free and peaceful assembly for political meetings in accordance with the constitution.

Other delegates attending the meeting include Zuleikha Tambwe, Senior Foreign Affairs Officer in the Permanent Mission of Tanzania at the United Nations.