Lesotho joined the rest of the world commemorating Human Rights Day (HRD) at an event held at ‘Manthabiseng Convention Centre, Maseru on Tuesday. In his address, the Minister of Justice and Law, Mr. Richard Ramoeletsi said this year’s theme “Our Rights, Our Future Now”, is an important one as it seeks to reflect on the yeah not now of safeguarding and remembering that human rights is observed annually on December 10. He added that the presence of various stakeholders at today’s events further indicate their commitment to promotion and protection of human  rights, stating Lesotho is signatory to United Nations universal declaration on human rights.

The Minister stated that this day further gives provision for all to establish progress made since the signing of the declaration bearing in mind gender, parliamentary rights and freedoms to mention but a few. According to the Minister, there is a need to continue working in solidarity to ensure that the rights of all are protected despite ethnicity. On behalf of the European Union (EU), the Head of Delegation Mr. Mario Giuseppe said the day is marked with the aim to promote the many rights all are entitled to citing promotion of gender equality, access to sanitary towels for those needing them including access to clean water and sanitation.

Meanwhile, Mrs. ‘Matebatso Thatho from Cerebral Palsy Community (CPC) said  she is a mother of a 10 year-old otherwise cerebral Palsy, adding she has been dealing with this condition which she said is challenging  for 10 years now. She pleaded with the government through the Ministry of Gender, Youth and   Social Development to consider and give support to these children as their demands of living are too expensive such as wheelchairs, pampers and medical care to mention a few.

Furthermore, she talked about the educational needs of these children which she stated are also expensive, thus requiring support as well. Present at the commemoration included different stakeholders and the Cerebral Palsy Community (CPC) with the aim to partake and share their inputs about this type of a condition. Human rights is the event that is commemorated globally on December 10, it marks the universal commitment to equality, freedom, and human dignity.