The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Law and Justice commemorated International Human Rights day under the theme ‘Recover better’ at the event held in Maseru on Thursday.
Speaking at the event The Minister of Law and Justice, Prof. Nqosa Mahao expressed gratitude for being granted the opportunity to give his remarks on the important occasion where the world reaffirms its commitment to universal dignity.
He said as a global community shares a day in common on 10 December, countries celebrate the creation and adaption of the universal declaration of Human Rights Day in 1948, saying the universal declaration sets down basic principles at the very heart of the human rights movement.
He further noted that the celebration under the theme ‘Recover better’ stands up for human rights and relates to COVID-19 and focuses on the need to rebuild after the devastating facts caused by this pandemic.
He remarked this year was difficult for everyone, saying the inception of the pandemic early this year across the globe brought a negative impact to life in general.
He said the government had to ensure that the health care system has the capacity to carry the increasing burden of treatment for those infected with COVID-19 and saving lives while ensuring that the normal health services are not affected.
On the same note, the United Nation Resident Coordinator, Mr. Salvator Niyonzima said Human Rights day marks a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinions as well as national or social origin.
Mr. Niyonzima said the country was forced into a complete lockdown for several months in 2020 due to the breakout of the pandemic, saying thousands of workers in both formal and informal sectors were forced to stay at home.
“The socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is known to be national while studies are still out on how exactly it affected the nation specifically, ” he said, adding that thousands of children have been forced to abandon schools, borders closed, regional and international trade suspended until recently.
Also speaking, the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Betty Wabunoha said the objective of the commemoration in Lesotho, is to reflect on global and National human rights, the gains and challenges thereof, and to increase awareness on the entrenchment of human rights-based approaches within day-to-day lives and national development route.
She commented that when commemorating this day, people must remain aware that the COVID- 19 pandemic associated with constraints globally and nationally may have invaded some of the fundamental human rights and aspirations.
She, therefore, remarked that people may raise questions around balancing public health and the need to protect the inalienable human rights.
Present to grace the event included; public servants, UN/UNDP staff, National University of Lesotho (NUL) employees, and Law students.