الملاحظات والتوصيات الختامية - ليبيا: التقرير الدوري الأول ، 1986-1991

اعتمد في الدورة العادية رقم 9 آذار 18 to آذار 25 , 1991 ,Nigéria.

Thirty-First Ordinary Session 2 to 16 May 2002, in Pretoria, South Africa

Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties under the Terms of Article
62 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Concluding Observations and Recommendations on the Initial Report of the
Islamic Republic of Mauritania

I- Introduction

1. The Islamic Republic of Mauritania (Mauritania) is a State Party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter) having ratified it on 14 June 1986.

2. The present Concluding Observations on the Initial Report of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (Mauritania) follow from the contents of the Report, the dialogue between the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) and the Delegation of Mauritania following the latter's presentation of the Report at the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Commission in Pretoria, South Africa from 2 to 16 May 2002.

II- Positive Aspects

The African Commission:

3. Commends the Government of Mauritania for having created an enabling environment for the submission and presentation of its Initial Report in compliance with its obligations under Article 62 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter).

4. Welcomes the preparation of the Initial Report of Mauritania in accordance with the African Commission’s guidelines for reporting. In addition to highlighting on the progress made to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in the country, it contains illustrative figures.

5. Appreciates the Delegation of high-ranking officials of the country led by the Minister of Justice of Mauritania, H.E Mr. Sghaïr Mbareck that presented the Report. This is indicative of the importance Mauritania attaches to its reporting obligations and to the African Commission as a whole.

6. Commends that the Report combines all the outstanding Reports that Mauritania owes to the African Commission. This practice could be emulated by other states similarly owing more than one overdue report to the African Commission.

7. Commends the Government of Mauritania for setting up the Commission of Human Rights, Fight Against Poverty, and Rehabilitation.

8. Commends the steps that the Government of Mauritania has taken as per its report in fighting poverty and encourages it to continue towards its total eradication.

9. Notes with appreciation that the Report was submitted at the 30th Ordinary Session of the African Commission in October 2001 thereby allowing enough time for preparation for its examination.

III- Factors Restricting the Enjoyment of the Rights Guaranteed in the African Charter

9. Despite the Government’s efforts to comply with the provisions of the African Charter, the limited resources at its disposal inhibit its ability to ensure that all its citizens enjoy the rights under the African Charter.

10. The entrenched and unhealthy look of the society on some aspects of human rights, including regarding minorities and women, stands in the way to extensively and effectively implement the African Charter in Mauritania.

IV- Areas of Concern

While recognising the efforts of Mauritania to promote and protect human rights and to create awareness on the principles and provisions of the African Charter, the African Commission remains concerned that:

11. There are inadequate measures in place to address the special needs of vulnerable and minority groups such as the nomadic tribes, the elderly and people with disabilities;

12. The perception of women in Mauritania remains to hamper their equal enjoyment of their human rights. Of particular concern is the potentially discriminatory application of repudiation in marriages;

13. The Report does not address the current situation of the practice of the often-alleged modern slavery in Mauritania.

14. Opposition parties and some Non-Governmental Organisations are said to have been unable to freely operate in Mauritania and there are reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions among them.

V. Recommendations

The African Commission recommends that the Government of Mauritania should:

15. Enhance its efforts to raise awareness of human and peoples’ rights in Mauritania;

16. Particularly emphasise on women and children in its programmes to fight poverty in Mauritania;

17. Intensify its efforts to ensure access to education of women and children in Mauritania;

18. Intensify its awareness campaign to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country;

19. Continue cultivating a culture of respect for human rights in order to reduce tension within the society and allow peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic groups in Mauritania;

20. Inform the African Commission on the status of its ratification of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights.

21. Inform the African Commission, in its next Periodic Report, of the steps it has taken to address the areas of concern, as well as how it has implemented the recommendations in this Concluding Observations.

Adopted at the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights held from 2 to 16 May 2002, Pretoria, South Africa

I.                   Recommendations

 1.        The African Commission recommends the following to the Government of Zimbabwe:

a.       Continue to pursue the institutional reforms aimed at establishing or strengthening a culture of human rights and the rule of law;

b.      Expedite the process of establishing a National Human Rights Commission in accordance with the “Paris Principles to the Status of National Institutions” [UN Commission on Human Rights Resolution 1992/54];

c.       Incorporate socio-economic rights provisions in its constitution and laws in line with the provisions of the African Charter in order to strengthen the interdependence and indivisibility of the rights and their immediate enjoyment and implementation;

d.      Undertake a comprehensive review of laws that restrict the enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and freedom of assembly;

e.       Continue to put in place the necessary reforms to strengthen the judiciary, prison services and law enforcement agencies with a view to promoting and protecting the human rights of all;

f.        Ensure that the conditions of arrest, preliminary interrogation and detention of suspects comply with the principles of the Robben Island Guidelines;

g.       Adopt a holistic approach to prison decongestion and conditions of detention in the prisons, and ensure that the planned policy on Pre-Trial Diversion aimed at young offenders does not compromise one’s right to be presumed innocent;

h.      Abolish the death penalty;

i.         Take adequate measures in combating insecurity, violence, and police and law enforcement excesses, and to ensure respect for the provisions of the African Charter;

j.         Eradicate police violence and extrajudicial killings and immediately investigate such reports and bring those responsible to justice and put in place mechanisms to adequately compensate victims;

k.       Undertake a comprehensive review of the application of statutory and customary laws in the country with a view to ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to protect the human rights of women and girls from discriminatory practices and to ensure fair dispensation of justice;

l.         Repeal laws that sanction the application of corporal punishment;

m.    Decentralize the provision of Legal Aid to reach those outside the capital Harare;

n.      Take adequate measures to ensuring the enforcement of court judgments;

o.      Encourage the government of Zimbabwe to ratify international and regional human rights instruments, including the Additional Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the Additional Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption;

p.      Ensure that policies, laws and all administrative measures taken by the government take into consideration the views of all, including opposition political parties, civil society organizations and interest groups;

q.       Forward, as soon as possible, to the Secretariat of the African Commission, its written responses to the unanswered questions posed by Members of the African Commission during the examination of the Report;

r.        Take appropriate measures to ensure the timely submission and presentation of the next Periodic Report of Zimbabwe to the African Commission in May 2009, having consulted, in its preparation and content, as many ministries, departments, agencies and non-governmental agencies, as possible.

  Accra, 29 May 2007

Concluding Observations of the African Commission on the 3rd Periodic Report of the Republic of Uganda

Presented at the 45th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights held in Banjul, the Gambia from 13 to 27 May 2009

I - Introduction

1. The Republic of Uganda ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on 27 March 1986.In conformity to Article 62 of the Charter, she submitted her 3rd Periodic Report, covering the period 2006-2008. The first Report was considered during the 27th Ordinary Session of the African Commission, held from 27th April – 11th May 2000, in Algeria. The second
Report was considered during the 40th Ordinary Session of the African Commission held from the 15-29 November 2006 in Banjul, The Gambia. This Report was received at the  Secretariat of the African Commission in October 2008; and was considered during the 45th Ordinary Session of the African Commission, held from 13-27 May 2009 in Banjul, The Gambia. The present Concluding Observations follow the consideration of the Report by the African Commission.

2. The delegation of the Republic of Uganda that presented the Report to the African Commission was led by Hon. Federick Ruhindi, Attorney General and Minister of State for Justice & Constitutional Affairs; and included:
 

Major Charles Wacha Angulo - Director of Human Rights, Uganda Peoples Defence Force Ms. Rosette Nyirinkindi Katungye - Head of AU Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Phillip Odoki - Law Reform Commission Mr. Nathan Twino - Amnesty Commission Ms Patience Kabiije - State Attorney; and Mr. Pascal Eramu - Internal Affairs Ministry.

3. The African Commission commends the Republic of Uganda for submitting its Report and being up to date with its reporting obligations.

4. The African Commission highly appreciates the efforts made by the government of Uganda to guarantee the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms enshrined under the African Charter.

5. These Concluding Observations give an account of the positive factors identified in the Report as well as the factors restricting the effective enjoyment of human and peoples’ rights guaranteed in the African Charter. They also underline areas of concern where, in the African Commission’s view, action needs to be taken.

6. In these Concluding Observations, the African Commission also makes recommendations to the State on measures to be taken to enhance the enjoyment of human and peoples’ rights in general and the rights guaranteed in the African Charter in particular.

II - The Positive Factors

The African Commission hereby: 

7. Notes that the Report is in compliance with the African Commissions Reporting Guidelines for State Reporting.

8. Notes that Uganda’s Constitution has a section entitled the Charter on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms which guarantees the protection of human rights of Ugandans. The Constitution also provides for various constitutional bodies to promote and protect fundamental rights and freedoms in Uganda.

9. Appreciates that Uganda has complied with some of the recommendations adopted by the African Commission after the presentation of the Second Periodic Report at the 40th Ordinary Session held from 15-29 November 2006 in Banjul, The Gambia.

10. Notes with appreciation that Uganda has enacted the following legislations with a view to enhancing the protection of human rights in the country:

The Copy Right and Neighbouring Rights Act 2006 The Equal Opportunities Commission Act 2007 The Penal Code (Amendment)Act 2007 The Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act 2007 The Judicature (Amendment) Act 2007 The Trial on Indictment(Amendment) Act 2008 The Law Revision (Fines and other Financial Amounts in Criminal Matters) Act 2008. The Trafficking in Persons Act 2009

11. Notes in particular that the Republic of Uganda has taken some institutional measures, giving effect to promoting and protecting human rights in the country by establishing the:

Equal Opportunities Commission, Amnesty Commission and Media Council,

12. Commends Uganda for establishing:

The Department of Culture and Family Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Affairs to address issues within the family; and The Human Rights Department in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) mandated to sensitize the rank and file of the armed forces on human rights issues.

13. Further commends Uganda for establishing the following special Courts to facilitate access to justice:

Local Council Courts Anti- Corruption Court Qadhis Courts Human Rights Tribunal Industrial Tribunal Family and Children’s Court Tax Court

14. Notes that Uganda has set up a Multi-Stakeholders Consultation for the creation of the War Crimes Court.

15. Recognizes the efforts being made by Uganda to reduce gender inequality by revising the 2007 Gender Policy to achieve among others:

Increased knowledge and understanding of human rights among women and men so that they can identify violations, demand, access, seek redress and enjoy their rights; Strengthened women’s presence and capacities in decision making for their meaningful participation in administrative and political processes; and Elimination of gender inequalities and ensure inclusion of gender analysis in macro-economic policy formulation, implementation monitoring and evaluation.

16. Commends Uganda for establishing HIV/AIDS Health Centres at every subdistrict to ensure easy access to healthcare services and for putting in place an HIV/AIDS National Policy.

17. Commends Uganda for taking steps to address issues confronting the Karamoja region by establishing the Ministry of State for Karamoja Affairs and for launching the Karamoja Integrated Disarmament Development Program (KIDDP) in 2008, to develop and implement a comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable disarmament programme that enhances peace building and development in Karamoja.

18. Commends Uganda for being one of the few countries to have adopted an Access to Information Legislation.

19. Finally commends Uganda for the adoption of the Peace Recovery and Development Plan of Northern Uganda 2007-2010 for the stabilization, rehabilitation and consolidation of peace in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country.

III - Factors restricting the enjoyment of the rights enshrined in the African Charter:

The African Commission notes that the factors restricting the enjoyment of the rights enshrined in the African Charter are:

20. The continued internal armed conflict in the Northern part of Uganda by rebel groups, associated with attacks on the civilian population by raping, mutilating, slaughtering, abducting civilians, raiding villages, recruitment of child soldiers, looting stores and homes, and burning houses and schools. These and other human rights violations affect in particular  marginalized groups, thereby jeopardizes the implementation of development projects and affect the enjoyment of rights enshrined in the Charter. 

21. The apparent lack of political will to take measures to realize the rights of indigenous populations especially the BATWA people as guaranteed under the Charter.

22. The prevalence of harmful cultural practices like the ritual sacrifice of children and Female Genital Mutilation particularly in the Aswan region of Uganda continue to affect the enjoyment of human rights; in particular the rights of children.

23. The failure to adopt legislative measures to criminalize torture and violence against children.

24. The failure to ensure the full enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression by introducing legislative measures that restrict the right to freedom of expression.

25. The inadequacy and high cost of legal services in Uganda means ordinary Ugandans cannot afford legal services. 

IV – Areas of concern 

The African Commission is concerned:

26. About the lack of Non Governmental Organizations involvement in the drafting of the Report.

27. That the following recommendations adopted after the presentation of the Second Periodic Report at the 40th Session were not complied with:

To comply with Article 7 of the African Charter and in particular, the 2001 Principles and Guidelines on Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa, as they relate to the prohibition of trials of civilians by military tribunals. Consider amending the recently enacted NGO Registration (Amendment) Act with a view to incorporating the concerns raised by the NGO community. Collaborate with civil society, international and regional organizations, to sensitize people and address Uganda’s difficulties, in particular problems related to insecurity, unemployment and development. Enhance implementation of the national policy on the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) in relation to the IDPs return and resettlement programmes, and to ensure the rehabilitation of social and economic infrastructure to enable the return and resettlement of IDPS in Uganda.

28. That the Report does not adequately provide comprehensive statistical information and disaggregated data in relation to the various assertions made on the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Uganda.

29. That Uganda is yet to ratify:

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, The Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights and; The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

30. Over the increased threats and harassment faced by human rights defenders and the restrictive legislation (Non Governmental Organization (Amendment) Registration Act 2006)  adopted by the Republic of Uganda. This increases administrative constraints and criminal sanctions against Human Rights Defenders; thereby limiting their right to freedom of expression.

31. That only 4% of births in Uganda were registered in 2008.

32. That only 19% of prisoners have access to clean water and only 62% of prisoners are provided with meals on a daily basis.

33. About existing legislation on Criminal Defamation in the Penal Code of Uganda.

34. About the lack of legislative measures to criminalize torture and violence against children.

35. By the lack of information on Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in the Report.

36. About the prevalence of FGM, the ritual sacrifices of children, domestic violence and the continued occurrence of early marriages in Uganda.

37. By the trial of civilians by Military Courts. 

38. About the lack of provision of adequate legal aid in Uganda.

39. By the exploitation, the discrimination and the marginalization of indigenous populations, in particular the BATWA people of Uganda, who are deprived of their ancestral lands and live without any land titles.

40. That the moratorium on the death penalty is not observed neither is there a law abolishing the death penalty.

V- Recommendations 

The African Commission recommends to the Government of Uganda to:

Ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. Ensure that legal aid is available to every citizen. Establish adequate legislation on freedom of expression to fulfill its obligations under the Charter. Ensure that all births and deaths are registered in Uganda by making such registration accessible and affordable to all citizens. Implement the Robben Island Guidelines to fulfill its national and international obligations to strengthen the prohibition and prevention of torture and in particular, criminalize torture. Introduce legal measures that prohibit the trial of civilians by Military Courts. Improve the conditions of prisons and places of detention with a view to bringing them in line with the Charter and international standards. Observe the moratorium on the death penalty and take measures to abolish the death penalty. Adopt measures to ensure the effective protection of the rights of indigenous populations especially the BATWA people as guaranteed under the Charter by establishing laws that protect land rights and natural resources of indigenous populations. Put an end to the increased threats and harassment faced by Human Rights Defenders as well as the constraints and criminal sanctions against them. Increase its efforts in working closely with NGOs, in the reporting process. Urgently introduce laws to criminalize violence against children, early marriages and measures that will help towards the total eradication of all the harmful cultural practices in Uganda, in particular, the ritual sacrifice of children and Female Genital Mutilation. Ensure that the Access to Information legislation is operationalized. Take measures to repeal the Criminal Defamation legislation contained in the Penal Code of Uganda. Provide information on the situation of Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Uganda. Forward to the Secretariat of the African Commission, the written responses to the questions posed by Members of the Commission during the presentation of the report. Indicate to the Commission in its next Periodic Report, what measures Uganda has taken to give effect to these recommendations.

Banjul, May 2009.

V - RECOMMENDATIONS

Reporting Obligations

80. The Government should continue to comply with its obligations under Article 26 of the Maputo Protocol by implementing the following recommendations;

Harmonization of national texts with the Maputo Protocol

81. The State should take all measures for the total domestication of the Maputo Protocol through the adoption of legislation and other administrative measures.

Political participation and decision-making

82. The government should continue with its efforts to increase the representation of women in politics and in decision-making bodies, including increasing the quota for women's representation to 30%.

Reproductive Health

83. The Government should provide women access to medical abortion service, where necessary.

Elimination of Harmful Practices

84. The Government should:

i. intensify actions aimed at combating the persistence of the practice of excision underground, in particular by meting very harsh punishments out to persons involved in the practice, including parents and family members.

ii. He should also fight against the practice of force-feeding girls and women.

Education

85. Mauritania should take measures to improve the rate of illiteracy of women and girls through literacy programmes targeted at adult women and also support girls to ensure that they do not leave the classrooms at an early age.

HIV/AIDS

86. The State should:

i. Take measures to reduce the risks of transmission of HIV/AIDS to women;

ii. Undertake awareness-raising campaigns and dissemination of information to the female population concerning the different means of transmission of HIV/AIDS.

General

87. The Government should provide in the next periodic report all the information on the effective implementation of the recommendations made in these Concluding Observations for these two reports.

Adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at its 23rd Extraordinary Session, held from 13 to 22 February 2018, in Banjul, the Republic of The Gambia.

I.                               RECOMMENDATIONS

1.      In view of the foregoing, the Commission makes a number of recommendations to the Government of Botswana.

Reporting obligations and cooperation with the Commission

2.      Botswana should:

Ensure that Periodic Reports to the Commission are submitted every two years in terms of Article 62 of the African Charter;

In the next Report, provide information on the specific issues which were deferred during consideration of the Periodic Report.

Ratification of regional and international instruments

3.      Botswana should consider ratifying the regional and international human rights instruments which it is yet to ratify, including:

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the rights of women in Africa;

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights;

The African Youth Charter;

The African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa;

The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance;

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa;

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa;

The Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance;

The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families;

The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;

The Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Aiming for the Abolition of the Death Penalty;

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rightsand its Optional Protocol; and

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.

Adoption of legislative or other measures to give effect to the African Charter

4.      Botswana should:

Expedite the revision and enactment of the following laws and policies to enhance enjoyment of human rights:

-          The Ombudsman Act, to confer a human rights mandate on the Office of Ombudsman;

-          The Prisons Act, relating to visitation rights;

-          A law a on the rights of persons with disability;

-          Enact the Bill on Declaration of Assets; and

-          Enact the Education and Training Bill.

Finalize the process of turning the Ombudsman’s Office into a hybrid institution with functions specifically dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights, in compliance with the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (the Paris Principles).

CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS

Equality

5.      Botswana should take all appropriate legislative and other measures to ensure equal representation of women in decision making positions at all levels including the Government and Parliament.

Death Penalty

6.      Botswana should:

Consider a moratorium on the use of the death penalty with a view to abolishing it, in conformity with the Commission’s Resolutions ACHPR/Res.416(LXIV)2019, ACHPR/Res.42(XXVI)99 and ACHPR/Res.136(XXXXIV)08;

Urgently consider commuting the verdicts of all prisoners sentenced to capital punishment to life imprisonment;

Ensure compliance with minimum standards of fairness in the clemency procedure, as provided in the Commission’s General Comment on the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights: The Right to Life.

Prohibition of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment

7.      Botswana should:

Enact specific legislation that criminalises torture in accordance with the provisions of the Robben Island Guidelines;

Repeal Section 25 of the Penal Code to end the practice of judicial corporal punishment;

Prioritize the establishment of an accessible and fully independent mechanism to which all persons can report allegations of torture;

Establish the Victims of Trafficking Fund as well as Centres for Victims of Human Trafficking as outlined in the Anti Human Trafficking Act of 2014.

Police, prisons and conditions of detention

8.      Botswana should:

Appoint an independent institution with the mandate to conduct unannounced visits to all places of detention;

Establish an independent police oversight body to investigate allegations of violations committed by the Police;

Ensure that the prisons and detention centres are equipped with facilities to cater for prisoners with disabilities.

Access to and administration of justice

9.      Botswana should appoint an institution responsible for ensuring provision of training to all judges and judicial officers, in accordance with the Commission’s Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa.

Freedom of expression and access to information

10.  Botswana should:

Revise the Cybercrime and Related Crimes Act to ensure that the law is in line with the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa and does not impose restrictions on the freedom of expression;

Repeal criminal defamation laws which impede freedom of speech in accordance with the Commission’s Resolution ACHPR/Res.169 (XLVIII)10 on Repealing Criminal Defamation Laws in Africa;

Amend the Botswana Communication Regulatory Authority Act to explicitly allow the licensing and regulation of community broadcasters and produce policies to that effect as well as initiate public awareness of community broadcasting and its benefits;

Amend the Botswana Communication Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) Act to provide for the regulation of the state broadcaster and consider transforming the state broadcaster into a public service broadcaster;

Enact a Freedom of Information Act which reflects international best practice.

Freedom of association and assembly

11.  Botswana should initiate legislative and other measures to promote and protect the rights of Human Rights Defenders, in conformity with the African Charter, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, theKigali and Grand Bay Declarations, in addition to other regional and international human rights instruments which guarantee the right to freedom of association and assembly.

The right to participate in the conduct of public affairs

12.  Botswana should enact equality legislation or policy and affirmative action programmes aimed at encouraging the political participation of women, persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities in efforts to increase their representation in various organs of government, especially political bodies such as parliament.

ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS

13.  Botswana should enact enabling legislation for the promotion and protection of socio-economic rights, in order to ensure justiciability in accordance with the African Charter.

The right to work

14.  Botswana should intensify efforts to combat youth unemployment, and include information in the next Report on the institutional measures developed to address the increased rate of youth unemployment.

Protection of the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDs

15.  Botswana should:

Intensify efforts to address the existing HIV prevalence rate of 18.5%;

Take urgent measures to address the gender disparity in HIV infections, with the view to increasing HIV prevention strategies for women;

Urgently initiate measures to address the high prevalence rate of HIV among children, with the view to eradicating the deaths which occur as a result of paediatric HIV;

Take the necessary measures to extend the provision of the PMTCT program to foreign pregnant women.

The right to culture

16.  Botswana should:

Develop and implement strategies for preserving minority languages, including through ensuring access to minority languages in the education and public services sector;

Expedite development of the Botswana Languages Council and ensure that it is as inclusive as possible.

Protection of the rights of women

17.  Botswana should:

intensify efforts to address gender based violence (GBV), including through increased advocacy programs to educate the public on GBV and its serious effects on women, in addition to expanding services to provide assistance to GBV victims, such as access to legal services and rehabilitation programs;

Ensure that the Marriage Act is amended to govern marriages contracted under customary and religious marriages, to ensure the protection of women in these marriages.

Protection of the rights of children

18.  Botswana should:

Prohibit corporal punishment in schools, in advance of the adoption of the Education and Training Bill;

Prioritize conducting a study on child marriage, with the view to addressing the lack of reporting as a result of cultural sensitivity.

Extractive industries 

19.  Botswana should:

Make reference to the State Reporting Guidelines of the Commission on Extractive Industries to structure the sections in relation to Articles 21 and 24 of the Charter for the next reporting cycle, in particular in the areas identified under the concerns above;

Provide more information in the next report on the implementation of the various laws and policies that have been adopted.

Protection of the rights of indigenous populations/communities

20.  Botswana should:

Prioritize the collection of data specific to the Basarwa people, in order to strengthen the provision of essential public services to this minority group;

Establish a legislative and regulatory framework for the promotion and protection of the rights of all indigenous populations/communities, including the Basarwa people, in addition to appointing a Government institution to monitor implementation of programs targeted for these minority groups;

Take concrete measures to ensure the political representation of all indigenous populations/communities, including the Basarwa communities.

Protection of the rights of LGBTI persons

21.  Botswana should enactlegislation and policies that will ensure the implementation of the Commission’s Resolution ACHPR/Res.275 (LV) 2014 on Protection against Violence and other Human Rights Violations against Persons on the basis of their real or imputed Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity.