Africa-Press – Botswana. The office of the Ombudsman last Friday launched its new mandate of promoting human rights through a march on the streets of Francistown.
The Francistown District Commissioner, Ms Chabongwa Matseka, who was also the chief walker at the launch, said the development marked a milestone in Botswana’s commitment to promoting good governance and respect for human rights.
She said human rights were some of the cornerstones of good governance along with transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
Ms Matseka highlighted however that the mandate 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.
“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.
Earlier on when delivering welcome remarks, Office of the Ombudsman’s acting chief legal investigator, Ms Itumeleng Makgesi said all along the office of the Ombudsman had a single mandate of investigating complaints of maladministration lodged against government ministries, departments and agencies and providing remedial action where injustice has been suffered.
She said the office was committed to promoting good governance and fostering a society that upheld respect for all fundamental rights.
Ms Makgesi said the Office of the Ombudsman was now in a position to promote human rights including those of people with disabilities, the vulnerable and marginalised members of society.
The new act confers on 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.
She noted that her office was determined to enforce the provision of human rights law and were banking on all stakeholders to join the noble course.
The launch theme was; Promoting Good Governance and Respect for Human Rights.
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