Africa-Press – Botswana. The expansion of the office of the Ombudsman mandate to include promotion of human rights is demonstration of Botswana’s commitment to good governance and respect for human rights.
Speaking at the launch of the new mandate in Francistown recently, Francistown District Commissioner, Ms Chabongwa Matseka said human rights was one of the cornerstones of good governance along with transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
“It is against this background that the government of Botswana found it fit to create an independent human rights institution which plays a vital role in ensuring the rights of citizens are promoted”, Ms Matseka added.
She highlighted that the journey required a collective effort not only from the government and the Office of the Ombudsman but also from the private sector, civil society, academia and all citizens of Botswana.
Earlier on when delivering welcome remarks, The Office of the Ombudsman’s Acting Chief Legal Investigator, Ms Itumeleng Makgesi said the office of the Ombudsman had for some time had a single mandate of investigating complaints of maladministration made against government ministries, departments and agencies and providing remedial action where injustice had been suffered.
Ms Makgesi said the Office of the Ombudsman was now in a position to promote human rights including those of people with disability, the vulnerable and marginalised members of society.
She said expressed the office’s commitment to promoting good governance and fostering a society that upholds respect for all fundamental rights.
The amended Ombudsman Act confers on the office of the Ombudsman to investigate maladministration in the public sector, investigate human rights violations, take appropriate remedial action to correct and reverse injustice, educate the public on maladministration and human rights and collaborate with society to promote human rights.
Ms Makgesi noted that they were determined to enforce the provisions of the act and were banking on all stakeholders to join the noble journey.
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