Waraka kwa Rais Obama Kutoka kwa Kamati ya Ulinzi wa Wanahabari

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The Committee to Protect Journalists writes to President @BarackObama ahead of his meeting with President @jmkikwete

Imewekwa 26.6.13

The Committee to Protect Journalists wrote to U.S. President Barack Obama ahead of his meetings with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete next week to ask that he bring up the critical importance of press freedom to economic development and democracy.

June 25, 2013

His Excellency Barack Obama

President of the United States of America

White House

Via facsimile: +1 202-456-2461

Dear President Obama:

Ahead of your first trip to East Africa, we would like to bring to your attention the deteriorating state of press freedom in Tanzania. In your meetings with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, we ask that you discuss the critical importance of press freedom to economic development and democracy.

In the past year, CPJ has documented a rise in threats and attacks against journalists in Tanzania. In September 2012, CPJ documented the first work-related journalist killing in the country since we began keeping detailed records in 1992. Police shot at point-blank range Daudi Mwangosi, reporter for TV Channel 10, after the journalist confronted them over the arrest of another reporter. A junior officer was arrested, but several other officers seen as being involved have not been held accountable. Another journalist, Issa Ngumba, was found dead from gunshot wounds in January. CPJ is investigating to determine if the murder was related to his coverage of local farming issues. No one has been arrested.

In addition, several journalists have been attacked in connection with their work. In March, unknown assailants attacked Absalom Kibanda, chairman of Tanzanian Editor's Forum and managing editor of the New Habari media company, leaving the critical columnist with severe injuries. No one has been arrested. Local journalists also said they have often been threatened by officials and high-ranking businessmen via text messages, emails, or intermediaries. Reporters based outside the capital, Dar es Salaam, are often targeted, the sources said.

This new trend of attacks against the press in Tanzania occurs against a backdrop of restrictive anti-press laws. One of them, the 1976 Newspaper Act, which allows the information minister discretionary powers to suspend publications, was used to ban the leading independent weekly Mwanahalisi in July 2012. The constitution includes at least 16 other anti-press laws that have induced journalists to practice self-censorship, our research shows.

Tanzanian authorities said they would present a new press bill this year that would eliminate legislation that censors or restricts the press. But the contents of the bill have been kept from the public, and local and regional media outlets have said they fear renewed anti-press legislation.

As you know, the Tanzanian government is one of five African nations that signed on to your Open Government Partnership Initiative, a multilateral effort to promote transparency. Tanzania cannot uphold its obligation given the current media climate of threats against the press and existing restrictive legislation. Economic development that benefits Tanzanian citizens can only occur in a system in which officials are held accountable by a free and vibrant press.

Tanzanian journalists are working in a highly restrictive media environment and are being attacked with impunity. We ask that you urge President Kikwete to promote media freedom in the country, without which vibrant democracy and economic development cannot exist.

Sincerely,

Joel Simon

Executive Director

CC List:

H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, President of Tanzania

H.E. Mwanaidi S. Maajar, Ambassador of Tanzania to the United States of America

H.E. Alfonso E. Lenhardt, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Tanzania

Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, Head of the Delegation of European Union to the Republic of Tanzania

John Kerry, Secretary of State for the United States of America

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs for the United States of America

Dr. Fenella Mukandara, Minister of Information of the Republic of Tanzania

Pansy Tlakula, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

Reginald Mengi, Chairman of the Media Association of Tanzania

Dr. Jeffrey Ashley, USAID / East Africa Mission Director

Kajubi Mukajanga, Executive Secretary of the Media Council of Tanzania

Mohamed Tibanyendera, Chairman of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Tanzania

Ernest Sungura, Executive Director of the Tanzania Media Fund

Mwanafunzi Ameshindwa Kuja Darasani Ili Kumtunza Mbwa

Jana, mwanafunzi wangu mmoja aliniandikia ujumbe kuwa hangehudhuria darasa. Mbwa wa familia, kule Minneapolis, alikuwa hajisikii vizuri, na hapakuwa na mtu wa kumwangalia. Kwa hivyo, kwa niaba ya familia, ilibidi kijana aende kule kumshughulikia mbwa. Hali ya mbwa ilihitaji apelekwe kwa daktari.

Kijana alinipa maelezo hayo. Ila leo amekuja darasani. Kabla ya kipindi kuanza nilimwuliza mbwa anaendeleaje, naye akasema alimpeleka kwa daktari ile jana, na anaendelea vizuri.

Ninafahamu kuwa habari hii itawashangaza wa-Tanzania wenzangu na wa-Afrika kwa ujumla. Kwetu mbwa hatumjali kiasi hicho. Ni utamaduni tofauti. Lakini hapa ni Marekani. Kama nilivyoeleza katika kitabu changu cha Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences katika utamaduni huu, mbwa wanamjali utadhani binadamu. Baadhi ya maneno niliyoandika ni haya:  

Many Americans keep pets, such as dogs, cats, birds, and fish, lavishing much care and tenderness on them. They let their dogs wander anywhere in their house, even taking them in the car as they drive. They rush home from work or other engagement to walk their dog or feed their cat. Americans will hug and even kiss their dog or hold their cat like a baby. When the Americans list the members of their family, they might include the dog, the cat, or other pet. They are probably joking, but it would be insulting to list an African's dog as part of his or her family. I cannot imagine an African allowing a dog in his car, hugging it, or kissing it. (kurasa 52-53)

Nashukuru kwamba nimeishi Marekani kwa miaka mingi kiasi cha kufahamu mengi kuhusu utamaduni wao. Kwa hivyo, ujumbe wa kijana kuwa hangekuja darasani kwa ajili ya mbwa, niliuelewa bila tatizo. Hii ni nchi yao, na huu ni utamaduni wao. Ingekuwa ni Tanzania, udhuru wa namna hiyo ungeleta tafrani kubwa.

Video ya Mkutano wa CHADEMA Ulioshambuliwa Soweto, Arusha

Pinda Awaagiza Polisi Kuwapiga Wakaidi

Sijawahi kusikia kutoka kwa serikali nchini Tanzania kauli kama hii ya waziri mkuu Pinda, kuwa wanaofanya ukaidi wapigwe, kwani eti nchi inaendeshwa kwa misingi ya sheria. Pinda anawaagiza polisi wawapige watu wa aina hiyo. Hapo naona Pinda anajikanyaga, kwani kama Tanzania inaendeshwa kwa misingi ya sheria, sidhani kama sheria inaruhusu kuwapiga hao anaowaita wakaidi. Vile vile maagizo ya Pinda ni ukiukwaji wa haki za binadamu.

Kazi ya polisi ni kuwakamata watuhumiwa na kuwafikisha kwenye sheria. Hao ambao Pinda anawaita wakaidi wana haki ya kuhesabiwa hawana hatia hadi mahakama iamue vingine. Kuna tangazo la kimataifa la haki za binadamu ambalo liko wazi kuhusu suala hilo. Kwa muda wote tangu wanapofanya huo ukaidi hadi wanapofikishwa mahakamani, na hadi mahakama itoe uamuzi, hao watu ni watuhumiwa tu.  Huu ndio utawala wa sheria na ni msingi mojawapo wa haki za binadamu. Kusema wapigwe ni kutetea ukiukwaji wa haki za binadamu.

Wanafunzi Wangu Walipata Mkong'oto Babati

Nilikuwa Tanzania mwezi Januari mwaka huu na wanafunzi wa hapa chuoni St. Olaf katika kozi juu ya mwandishi Ernest Hemingway. Tulikaa siku nne Babati.

Siku moja wanafunzi waliniambia wameona kiwanja mjini hapo na wanataka kwenda kucheza kabumbu. Walipofika kiwanjani, waliwakuta vijana wenyeji wamevalia sare za kabumbu, wakapatana kuwa wapimane nguvu.

Wanafunzi walitwanga vibaya, ila sikumbuki walitwangwa magoli mangapi. Siku ya pili wanafunzi wakaenda tena. Nadhani walikuwa na ndoto ya kulipiza kisasi. Wapi, ndugu yangu. Waligaragazwa tena.

Nadhani siku hiyo Babati ilisisimka sana. Kwanza, sio kawaida kutembelewa na wazungu wengi namna hii. Halafu, huenda waliamini kuwa hao wazungu ni wacheza soka, na kwa maana hiyo, matokeo ya mechi yalikuwa kwamba wa-Marekani wamegaragazwa Babati. Yawezekana kuwa hayo ndio maneno yaliyoenea mitaani.

Ukweli ni kuwa hao wanafunzi wangu wala sio timu ya kabumbu. Walijikusanya tu kiholela wakaenda uwanjani. Ila, kwa vile ninapangia kuwapeleka wanafunzi wengine siku za usoni, labda itakuwa vema nikiwaambia kabla kuwa wafanye mazoezi ya kabumbu, ili kuwafundisha somo watu wa Babati. Kwa hivi, watu wa Babati subirini kichapo.

Hizo mechi za kabumbu zilifanikisha sana ndoto yangu ya kujenga mahusiano baina ya wa-Marekani na wa-Tanzania. Ni mbinu ambayo nitafanya juu chini niitumie siku zijazo. Hapo pichani, hao wanaume wanne walioko mstari wa mbele kabisa bila sare si watu wa Babati bali madreva wa msafara wetu.

Mnyika Aeleza Sababu za Nassari Kuhamishwa

CHADEMA: Mlipuaji wa Bomu la Arusha ni Polisi

Baadhi ya kauli za Mheshimiwa Mnyika katika video hii zinaendana na kauli aliyotoa mwenyekiti wa CCM, Jakaya Kikwete, miezi kadhaa iliyopita, kwamba kuna viongozi katika CCM ambao hutumia polisi kuwahujumu wapinzani. Kwa vile mwenyekiti wa CCM alisema hivyo, nawajibika kusema kuwa ni ukweli. Bila upendeleo, nilivyomwelewa mimi ni kuwa alikuwa na nia ya kuwakanya CCM waache ufedhuli huo.

Nasubiri kusikia kauli ya msemaji yeyote wa CCM kuhusu hilo suala. Wakisema kuwa CHADEMA inadanganya, basi waseme pia wazi wazi kuwa mwenyekiti wa CCM naye ni mdanganyifu.