English - African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

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(c)Trouble with Boers.In 1835 white farmers from the Cape began arriving in Basotholand, unlike otherimmigrants. these people were not willing to become Moshoeshoe's subjects, as a resulta series of conflicts erupted between the Basotho and the new-corners. The Basotho wereat first able to defeat their opponents, but with time the balance of power shifted in favourof the Boers and the Basotho were spared as a nation by the declaration of the British, thatas from 18 March 1868 Basotholand was a British protectorate. Moshoeshoe died twoyears latter on 11th March 1870.At the time of Moshoeshoe's death, the economy of Lesotho was going through anagricultural boom. Surplus grain was exported to the rest of Southern Africa, mostnotably to the white settlers in exchange for cash (hence the beginning of moneytising ofLesotho's butter exchange). However, the prosperous Basotholand was an eye sore tothe white settlers, who had other plans for the Basotho. They valued the Basotho for theirlabour to work mostly in the diamond mines of Kimberly and other newly discoveredmines in South Africa. The white settler government therefore made it illegal for thewhite settlers to buy grain from the Basotho and they started to import grain from Europe.This measure brought down regional prices of grain. As a result, this calculated moveby the settler deprived the Basotho of their livelihood. They were forced to seekemployment in the Mines of South Africa.This was the beginning of the present migrant labour system to South Africa, which cameat the expense of a decline in agriculture. Loss in agricultural production and thebeginning of migrant labour system inevitably brought with them a decline in the Chierscontrol over their subjects. As they lost their wealth and the following of their people.chiefs found themselves forging a relationship with colonial masters.This new face of the chiefs, who had always played a role of Pan-<strong>African</strong>ism, left theirsubject, without any legitimate leadership.It was this fact and the traditional anti imperialist feelings of the Basotho people that ledto the establishment of the first political party. The party known as the Lekhotla la Bafowas formed by one Josiel Lefela and the former Prime Minister of Lesotho Dr NtsuMokhehle joined the party ranks in 1942.Dr Ntsu Mokhehle later formed his political party in 1952. Formed under the ideologyof Pan-<strong>African</strong>ism, the Basotholand Congress Party was naturally regarded as aCommunist Part. As a result, the Catholic Church saw it as an enemy of religion. \■In leSouth Africa saw it as an enemy of apartheid and therefore an enemy of the state.
With all these powerful enemies ( of the BCP) it was not much of a surprise when twonew parties were formed in 1960. These parties were the Basotholand National Party(BNP) and the Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP). The BNP was formed or at least itcampaigned for prolonged British rule. They peached anti-communist rhetoric and hencebecame friend with the Catholic Church and Chiefs.Lesotho is a sovereign Kingdom under the Leadership of a democratically electedgovernment. The powers and function of government are guided and derived from the1993 Constitution, which is the Supreme Law of Lesotho.Lesotho's Constitution accords a special place for the Monarch. The Monarch who ishead of Government, is deemed to be above partisan politics. The Government ofLesotho is known as his Majesty's Government. There is the separation of power betweenthe Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. The Legislature is divided into twohouses. The lower house comprises elected representatives, while the upper house orSenate consists of nominees, including the 22 Principal Chiefs. There are however,debates in parliament to restructure the Senate, so that Senators are also elected by thepeople.1.4 POPULATIONThe population of Lesotho according to the 1996 census is estimated at 1,835,867 ofwhich 939,686 is female. According to the 1986 population census, "the population ofLesotho was estimated to be increasing at a natural rate of 2.6% projected to grow by2.8% per annum by the year 1996".
Page 2 and 3: ERRATAThe following spelling errors
Page 4 and 5: Title PageTABLE OF CONTENTSTable of
Page 6: Article 8(Freedom of conscience, re
Page 9 and 10: The Government, i.e the Monarchy, E
Page 11: Lesotho's newly found democracy did
Page 15 and 16: Total of estimated population censu
Page 17 and 18: 1.9 BASIC DOCUMENTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Page 19 and 20: Now that three years have passed ev
Page 21 and 22: In particular it was pointed out in
Page 23 and 24: participate hi the elections;• el
Page 25 and 26: The Government and Independent Poli
Page 27 and 28: The Department of Social Welfare is
Page 29 and 30: Several children are found abandone
Page 31 and 32: A revision has been made to this re
Page 33 and 34: 1.15 STEPS TAKEN TO PROTECT FAMILY
Page 35 and 36: The Motheris Union is an Anglican S
Page 37 and 38: The Council of State is made up of
Page 39 and 40: _--..■■••••Arramr•r",
Page 41 and 42: In accordance with section 4 of the
Page 43 and 44: circumstances of the case-(a)(b)(c)
Page 45 and 46: also increased among children from
Page 47 and 48: of a holistic approach to child hea
Page 49 and 50: of Lesotho Liberation Army, victims
Page 51 and 52: imprisonment;(2) Any Chief or Publi
Page 53 and 54: (1)(2)if a parent or guardian of a
Page 55 and 56: (3) Any person who is arrested or d
Page 57 and 58: ( statistics on such cases have not
Page 59 and 60: and free from interference and subj
Page 61 and 62: admissible in evidence against such
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interference, freedom to receive id
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Section 7 further empowers the Regi
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ARTICLE 12The constitution provides
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(i)to perform such other functions
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(vi) in consequence of any law with
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According to Section 30 of the Cons
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1997 - 2001 UNICEF/GOL programme of
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In addition to governmental efforts
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This issue is of concern to many NG
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oadening of the democratic process
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Lesotho is a member of the United N
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in section 33, which provides:With
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Consequently, the government of Les
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adopted an action plan of all the r
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The Courts shall, in the performanc
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I esoiho Cabinet Decisions:Cabinet
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English - African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

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