Statement 107 - Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Geneva, Switzerland

Address: Chemin des Fins 2, Case Postale 102, 1211 Geneva 19 - Telephone: 022 799 9100 - Fax: 022 799 9178

8th Session of the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review

Intervention by Australia

by Ms Robyn Hodgkin
5 May, 2010

Lesotho

Australia welcomes the delegation from the Kingdom of Lesotho and appreciates its engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process.

Australia recognises that poverty, HIV/AIDS, and food insecurity present significant obstacles to the enjoyment of human rights in Lesotho, and we welcome the Government’s “Vision 2020” initiative.

We welcome recent initiatives by the Lesotho Government to strengthen human rights protection, including by ratifying international human rights treaties. We look forward to the establishment of Lesotho’s Human Rights Commission.

Although we note executions have not been carried out since 1995, we regret that Lesotho has not formally abolished the death penalty. We note also that while Lesotho’s Constitution prohibits unfair treatment and discrimination, customary laws continue to be applied, in some situations, in a manner contrary to Lesotho’s international human rights obligations.

While we note progress made by Lesotho in promoting women’s rights, we are concerned by ongoing gender discrimination, violence against women, and unequal access to employment.

We also note with concern reports of violence against and sexual exploitation of children, and the use of child labour. We remain troubled by ongoing discrimination against homosexuals and the criminalisation of male homosexuality.

Australia recommends Lesotho:

1. Accede to outstanding international human rights instruments, including the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at abolishing the death penalty;

2. Incorporate international human rights instruments into domestic law, including the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child;

3. Enact the Children’s Protection and Welfare Bill (2004); and

4. Repeal legislation criminalising male homosexuality, and introduce policies aimed at ending discrimination against homosexuals.