Human rights win the day
Friday, March 18, 2016
CoA Judge President Ian Kirby found it is acceptable by both parties that the provisions of the act are unobjectionable in constitutional terms. The ruling came four years after members of LEGABIBO filed an application for the registration of the association as a society, which was rejected by the minister. The organisation’s draft constitution intends to integrate a legal, ethical and human rights dimension into the response to the sexual, reproductive and health rights of all people without discrimination on any basis. It also seeks to strengthen the participation of lesbians, gays and bisexuals in the policy fora in Botswana at an international level.
LeGaBiBo hopes to assist in promoting and encouraging networking amongst Non-Governmental Organisations and individuals with similar goals and objectives so as to facilitate joint initiatives at problem-solving. It also wants to carry out political lobbying for equal rights and non-discrimination of same sex relationships. Moreover, LeGaBiBo wants to represent and act on behalf of lesbians, gays and bisexuals in the country at any level. There is, in fact nothing wrong with these objectives, which the organisation wishes will contribute meaningfully to the fight against HIV and AIDS and work towards the elimination of homophobia.
The recent disclosure by the IEC that 2,513 registrations have been turned down due to various irregularities should prompt all Batswana to meticulously review the voters' rolls and address concerns about rejected registrations.The disparities flagged by the IEC are troubling and emphasise the significance of rigorous voter registration processes.Out of the rejected registrations, 29 individuals were disqualified due to non-existent Omang...