Africa-Press – Botswana. The government of Botswana has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding and ratifying key international human rights covenants, reinforcing the country’s alignment with global standards set by the United Nations.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the national consultations on accession to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural (ESCR) Rights and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr. Moffat Lubinda, underscored Botswana’s dedication to protecting human dignity and equality.
Mr. Lubinda said Botswana remains determined to honour its obligations as a UN member state. He explained that ratifying the ESCR Covenant and acceding to the 1961 Convention will strengthen the country’s framework for protecting vulnerable groups and advancing socio-economic rights. “Botswana holds dearly the obligations promulgated by UN member states and the resulting benefits of ratifying these covenants,” he said.
He encouraged participants to ensure that their recommendations lead to measurable outcomes. “We all look forward as a country after this workshop to seeing your footprints in the form of significant progress,” he urged.
Regional Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Ms. Abigail Noko, commended Botswana for its ongoing efforts to promote equality and justice. She emphasized that economic, social, and cultural rights are not theoretical concepts, but essential guarantees that shape the daily lives of individuals and communities.
Ms. Noko acknowledged Botswana’s progress in strengthening citizenship laws and addressing statelessness. “The revised Citizenship Amendment Act of 2024, which works towards reducing gender discrimination, is among the applaudable efforts demonstrated by Botswana in ensuring dignity for all people,” she said.
The event, jointly hosted by the Government of Botswana and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, marked the conclusion of a series of consultations that brought together policymakers, legal experts, and civil society representatives.
By reaffirming its commitment to these international covenants, Botswana signals its intention to deepen human rights protection and provide legal recognition and inclusion for all individuals within its borders.
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