Introduction and Background
In 1993, the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights adopted the Vienna
Declaration and Programme of Action which encouraged the establishment and strengthening of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights at the national level. Human rights provide a common framework of universally recognized values and norms and set out State obligations to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts. They are an important tool to hold States, and increasingly non-state actors, accountable for violations and abuses respectively.
Human rights are universal, inalienable, interdependent and indivisible as well as being essential to the processes of democracy, security and sustainable development.
Lesotho reacted to this call and a decision to set up a Human Rights Commission (the Commission) was adopted in 1995 by Cabinet through CAB/DEC/11. In 2011 the Commission was established through the sixth amendment to the Constitution.
The Human Rights Commission Act 2016 (the Act) was enacted to operationalize the Commission. To ensure enhanced compliance with the Paris Principles, the Act has been subject of further consultations and amendments. Amendments, through technical support by the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), UNDP and drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) have since been approved by Cabinet enroute to Parliament. The operationalization of the Commission is expected to be effective by December 2020 as per the Government’s commitment.
Noting the pivotal role Districts leaders’ play in ensuring that structures and people within their respective administration know about and understand the work of the Human Rights Commission; awareness and preparedness on the work of the Human Rights Commission at the local level cannot be overemphasized. As such, there is need to raise awareness and educate the public at large on the roles, DocuSign Envelope ID: 59E7CB9A-022B-4037-B7F8-B99E3B166727 responsibilities and mandate of the Human Rights Commission, and how each participant is expected to support its work on the ground.
Following a successful conclusion of the sensitization workshop for District
Administrators (October 6-7, 2020), Stakeholders will embark on inter-district roadshows throughout the country starting in the northern part of the country with the three districts of Leribe, Botha Bothe and Mokhotlong, raising public awareness on the work of the Human Rights Commission. Herein Councilors, Principal and Area Chiefs and the Heads of Line Ministries will be sensitized on the work of the Commission.
Specific Objectives of the Roadshow
Pave way for the work of the Human Rights Commission in the districts for the promotion and protection of human rights and thus encourage their
active participation in the work of the Commission;
Prepare the districts leadership to be advocates for human rights by
education on observance of human rights and strengthening respect for
fundamental human rights, dignity and freedoms which will facilitate
national collaboration and cooperation with the Commission once
operational.
Events Timetable
Date Venue Hosts
October 21-22, 2020
Leribe Leribe, Butha-Buthe &
Mokhotlong
November 4-5, 2020
Mohale’s Hoek Qacha’s Nek, Mohale’s Hoek &
Quthing
November 11-12, 2020
Mohale Lodge Berea, Maseru & Mafeteng