Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) has joined forces to defend the human rights by the members of the security institutions. This initiate had culminated in the launch of the project on Wednesday this week at Thaba-Bosiu.
The think tank has partnered with the stakeholders to realise the objectives of the human rights sensitive approach with the security sector. Termed ‘Fostering
Security Sector Institutions Compliance with Human Rights Standards’ the project is envisaged to “built an upright civilian security sector institutions
relations created through institutionalizing and strengthening accountability and respect of human dignity and adherence to human rights standards”. TRC has partnered with
the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC), Southern Africa human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN) and the Africa Jurists and Judges Forum (AJJF). TRC Executive Director
Tsikoane Peshoane said they want to foster the culture of security and respect of rights within the security institutions. Peshoane underscored the importance of the Civic Society Organisations (CSOs) venture to undertake
this initiative adding that they will also work in concert with the office-bearers. The TRC Executive Director highlighted that this project was borne out of the need to arrest the acts of
police brutality, army torture among others. He further took stock on the absence of human rights commission adding that the human rights defending institutions are rocked by problems ranging from inefficiency,
political interference and lack of autonomy. The TRC Program Manager for Human Rights and Justice Advocate Lepeli Moeketsi said TRC is going to implement the following: inter-institutional security consultative sessions;
security sector legal framework review dialogue and the media advocacy on public complaints mechanisms, security sector inspectorate establishment. Launching the project,
the Chief Justice (CJ) Sakoane Sakoane said the roles of the police, army and the correctional services are institutionalised by the Constitution. The CJ said there are
“myths” to the effect that the police and army are “mortal” enemies of the public. Coming down hard on
the use of excessive force by police when interrogating suspects he said this way of thinking renders the law enforcement a “war against crime” adding that
human rights are merely “impediments”. He said all arrests must be lawful and necessary. From the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) Colonel Senatla Damane said the issue of human rights and
how they are enjoyed is paramount. Colonel Damane noted that: “Limitations on individual human rights should be done in a manner that is not offensive to universally accepted human rights standards.
” He further underscored the need for the security institutions to “respect and observe” human rights, a
move which he said will cause the members of the public to have “trust” in those institutions. “In any country respect for human rights by members of security agencies is an indication of a
country that respects the rule of law and constitutional order,” he said. The European Union (EU) Head of Delegation to Lesotho Dr Christian Manahl said the project is a
result of a call for the proposal for human rights defenders by the EU wherein the former was impressed by the TRC proposal. Dr Manahl said the project is part of the reforms process that the country is currently seized
with. “Not only will this initiative reform the hearts but also the minds”, argued the EU Head of Delegation adding that it is an “invaluable building
block for Lesotho”. He further poured encomiums on what he termed the “reconciliation” between the security institutions particularly with their undertaking of pledging the respect for
the Constitution. In attendance were the Ministers of Defence and National Security and Law and Justice, Hon Halebonoe Setšabi and Advocate Lekhetho Rakuoane, the senior command of the security
agencies, CSOs representatives and the members of the National Reforms Authority (NRA), a body which is undertaking the national reforms. Security has been
slated as one of the sectors which will go under the reforms process following its alleged involvement in politics and perpetuation of acts of brutality to the civilians.
