Lesotho’s human rights record will come under the spotlight on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, when the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group examines the country for the fourth time. The session will take place in Geneva and will be webcast live, allowing for global accessibility and transparency in the proceedings.
Lesotho is one of 14 States selected for review during the UPR Working Group’s current session, which officially opened today and will run until May 9, 2025. The Southern African country has undergone previous reviews in May 2010, January 2015, and January 2020, with each session providing a platform for the international community to assess its human rights progress and challenges.
The UPR process, as outlined by the United Nations, involves a peer review mechanism that evaluates the human rights performance of all UN Member States. Since its inception in April 2008, every Member State has participated in three review cycles, with the fourth cycle now underway. For Lesotho, this marks a critical opportunity to reflect on the recommendations from prior reviews, highlight advancements in human rights, and address ongoing concerns.
The review is guided by three core documents: the national report submitted by the country under review, reports from independent human rights experts and UN entities, and information provided by various stakeholders, including national human rights institutions and regional organizations. These documents help the UPR Working Group form a comprehensive picture of the human rights landscape in the reviewed country.
Lesotho’s delegation to Geneva will be led by Richard Ramoeletsi, the Minister of Law and Justice. His leadership is expected to provide insight into the country’s actions and policies since the last UPR review in January 2020. The delegation will also be tasked with addressing any questions or concerns raised by other UN Member States during the session.
During this review cycle, Lesotho is expected to report on the steps taken to implement recommendations from previous UPR sessions and highlight recent human rights developments within its borders. This includes issues such as the protection of civil liberties, the advancement of gender equality, and the strengthening of judicial independence, all of which have been focal points in past reviews.
Human rights advocates and international observers will be closely monitoring the proceedings, as the UPR serves as a critical tool for holding governments accountable and encouraging positive change. The review also allows Lesotho’s government to demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights principles and engage in constructive dialogue with other UN Member States.
The webcast of the session provides an opportunity for individuals and organizations around the world to follow the proceedings in real time. It reflects the transparency of the UPR process, ensuring that the international community can track the progress and challenges that Lesotho faces in its human rights journey.
As the fourth cycle of the UPR unfolds, the spotlight will once again be on Lesotho, with the hope that this review will lead to meaningful reforms and improvements in the protection of human rights for all of the country’s citizens.
