Tanzania: Update to Response to Information Request TZA11633 of 4 September 1992 on the treatment of east Asians, on current situation of Asians in Tanzania, on whether any Asian holds political office, on whether they are concentrated in a particular region, on whether they are targeted by any group, and on whether they hold any government positions, particularly positions in the police force between 1990 and 1995
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | TZA20792.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Tanzania: Update to Response to Information Request TZA11633 of 4 September 1992 on the treatment of east Asians, on current situation of Asians in Tanzania, on whether any Asian holds political office, on whether they are concentrated in a particular region, on whether they are targeted by any group, and on whether they hold any government positions, particularly positions in the police force between 1990 and 1995, 1 June 1995, TZA20792.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abe93.html [accessed 1 November 2017] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
For general information on the situation of Asians in Tanzania, please consult the attached articles and section 5 of the report on Tanzania in Country Reports for the period 1990-1994.
Information on whether Asian community in Tanzania is targeted by any other group is scarce. There are only brief references in two issues of The Indian Ocean Newsletter. The 30 July 1994 issue reported that Asians received anonymous threats in 1994 (2). In 1993 The Indian Ocean Newsletter reported that opposition party leader, Rev. Christopher Mtikila, suggested at a political rally that "foreigner-immigrants" may become the targets of "poor" Tanzanians reacting against the government's perceived favouritism toward "foreigner-immigrants" (6 Feb. 1993, 2). Mtikila and four of his supporters were later charged following this speech (ibid. 13 Feb. 1993, 3). The Africa Research Bulletin described Mtikila, leader of the unregistered Democratic Party, as "an anti-Arab and anti-Asian critic" (Sept. 1993, 11149).
No information could be found on where the Asian population in Tanzania is concentrated, nor on whether any Asian holds political office or any government position, including positions in the police force.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. September 1993. Vol. 30, No. 9. "Tanzania: DP Leader Arrested."
The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 30 July 1994. No. 634. "Spotlight Tanzania: Asians Face Racial Tension."
_____. 13 February 1993. No. 562. "Tanzania: Opposition Leader on Trial," p. 3.
_____. 6 February 1993. No. 561. "Tanzania: Religious Strife or Religious War."
Attachments
The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 30 July 1994. No. 634. "Spotlight Tanzania: Asians Face Racial Tension," pp. 1-2.
_____. 8 January 1994. No. 605. "Edward Lowassa (Tanzania)."
_____. 13 February 1993. No. 562. "Tanzania: Opposition Leader on Trial," p. 3.
_____. 6 February 1993. No. 561. "Tanzania: Religious Strife or Religious War," p. 2.
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 17 April 1993. "Tanzania Urges Asians to Invest More." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Amnesty International Report. 1990-1995.
Critique: Review of the Department of State's Country Reports. 1990-1995.
DIRB Country File.
The Europa World Yearbook 1994.
Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Reports. 1990-1995.
Human Rights Watch World Report. 1990-1995.
Political Handbook fo the World: 1992.
On-line searches of news articles.
