PUNISHMENT
Tanzanian law punishing critics of statistics worries the World Bank
Dar es Salaam — The World Bank says it is deeply concerned about new Tanzanian legislation that will punish anyone who questions official statistics, saying the law will undermine the production of useful and high-quality data. In September, legislators passed amendments to the Statistics Act that would impose fines, at least three years’ jail time, or both, on anyone who questioned the accuracy of official figures. The attorney-general said the changes were necessary to enforce standards. Opposition groups and other critics have said the changes were part of a broader government crackdown on dissent and criticism of its political and economic record — a charge dismissed by authorities. The World Bank said the changes to the law — which still have to be approved by President John Magufuli — were "out of line with international standards". It said it had shared its concern with the Tanzanian opposition groups "that the amendments, if implemented, could have serious impacts on the gen...
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