The Influence of Democracy On the Promotion of Human Rights in Unguja Island Zanzibar

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to make an investigation of the influence of democracy on promotion of human rights in Unguja Island Zanzibar. The study focused on democracy and rights to freedom of warship, expression and fair trial. The objectives of the study were to; establish the relationship between democracy and the right to freedom of religion, freedom of speech and expression and between democracy and the right to fair trial. The concern of the researcher was the violation of human rights despite the proclamation of democracy in Zanzibar. The research was carried out by using a case study design which involved the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Data analysis was done by using the Statistical package for the social science. A sample size of 120 respondents for community members,5 for Local leaders and 10 for human rights activists of the local community of Zanzibar. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires and interviews and both qualitative and quantitative methods of research were used. The combination of two methods increased the quality of research because results from each method reinforced each other for consistency. In the context of this study, democracy was measured in terms of rule of law, human dignity, political equality, political freedoms, common good, being informed and getting involved, personal freedom and respect. According to data from interviews with local leaders, freedom of religion was considered by many citizens and nations to be a primary human right. In addition, while freedom of speech is the freedom to speak without censorship and/or limitation, some members of the community feared to directly criticize the government. In an interview with local leaders, it was found out that many people were unlawfully tried. It is recommended that there is need for freedom of religion, speech and fair trail to be a constitutionally guaranteed right.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION A

DECLARATION B ii

APPROVAL SHEET iii

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

TABLE OF CONTENTS vi

LIST OF TABLES xi

ABSTRACT xii

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CHAPTER ONE .1

1.0 Introduction I

1.1 Background to the study 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem 5

1.3 Purpose 6

1.4 Objectives 6

1.5 Hypotheses 7

1.6 Scope 7

1.7 Significance 7

1.8 Conceptual framework 11

CHAPTER TWO 9

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 9

2.0 Introduction 9

2.1 Theoretical Framework 9

2.2 History of Democracy 12

2.3 Background of Human Rights in Tanzania 13

2.4 Democracy and the right to freedom of religion 16

2.5 Democracy and the right to freedom of expression 18

2.6 Democracy and the right to fair trial 22

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CHAPTER THREE .24

METHODOLOGY 24

3.0 Introduction 24

3.1 Study design 24

3.2Studyarea 24

3.3 Population 25

3.4 Sampling Procedure 25

3.5 Data collection methods 26

3.5.1 Questionnaires 26

3.5.2 Taped interviews 27

3.6 Validity and Reliability of Instrument 28

3.6.1 Data analysis 28

3.7 Ethical considerations 30

3.8 Limitations and Solutions~ 30

CHAPTER FOUR 31

PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 31

4.0 Introduction 31

4.1 Demographic characteristics of respondents 31

4.2 Rating of the level of democracy in Zanzibar 33

4.3 Democracy in Zanzibar 34

4.4 Rating the following elements of democracy in Zanzibar 35

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4.5 Right to freedom of religion 36

4.6 Level of freedom of religion in Zanzibar 37

4.6.1 Relationship between right to freedom and democracy 38

4.7 Right to freedom of speech and expression 39

4.7.1 Right to freedom of speech and democracy 40

4.8 Right to fair trial 41

4.8.1 Correlation between right to fair trial and democracy 42

4.9 Factors affecting human rights in Zanzibar 43

CHAPTER FIVE 44

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 44

5.0 Introduction 44

5.1 Rating of the level of democracy in Zanzibar 44

5.2 Conclusion 52

5.3 Recommendations 53

REFERENCES 55

APPENDIX A 60

SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION TABLE 60

APPENDIX B~ 62

QUESTIONNAIRE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS 62

APPENDIX C~ 68

INTERVIEW GUIDE TO KEY INFORMATS 68