These challenges are further compounded by the difficulty in addressing the country's health crisis, particularly when it comes to the fight against HIV.

In a recent statement to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in Geneva, Lesotho’s Justice Minister Richard Ramoeletsi, acknowledged the significant struggles the country faces in improving its human rights record. He highlighted how food insecurity, soaring prices, and the ongoing HIV epidemic are major roadblocks to progress.  

However, Ramoeletsi assured the council that the government, with support from the World Food Programme , is actively working to improve livelihoods, especially for youth and smallholder farmers. These efforts aim to address food security, strengthen local economies, and create a more sustainable agricultural sector, despite challenges such as widespread poverty and high unemployment.

Lesotho is currently undergoing its fourth Universal Periodic Review , a unique UN process where member states undergo peer assessments of their human rights progress every 4 years. In his address, Ramoeletsi noted that while Lesotho abides by both domestic and international laws, some human rights instruments still require full domestic implementation.

On a more positive note, the country has made notable strides in certain areas. Legal reforms in environmental protection, marriage and inheritance laws, and the rights of persons with disabilities are already underway. The government’s efforts span seven key sectors: constitutional reforms, the judiciary, security, parliament, economic policy, public service, and media freedom. In particular, Ramoeletsi spoke about the ongoing work on constitutional amendments, with the 10th Amendment nearing completion in the parliamentary process.

However, the country’s controversial cyber security law has drawn criticism for its potential to restrict freedom of speech. Ramay defended the law, arguing that it strikes a necessary balance between securing the country’s digital space and protecting citizens' fundamental rights. He emphasised that the law includes provisions for safeguarding privacy, as well as limits on criminal liability for service providers, alongside international collaboration to tackle cybercrime.

While several UN member states applauded Lesotho’s progress in bringing its laws into alignment with international human rights standards, they also issued a number of important recommendations. Zambia urged the government to pass legislation that specifically prohibits all forms of corporal punishment, and to raise the minimum marriage age to 18.

--ChannelAfrica--