After presenting an overview of the Botswana National Report, Seretse responded to questions submitted by member States. The following are excerpts of some his responses:
National Human Rights Institution
The Czech Republic and the United Kingdom enquired on the steps taken to establish and implement a national framework to promote and protect human rights. In March 2008, we indicated to the Human Rights Committee that Botswana intends to establish a national human rights institution, and in this regard, consultations to initiate the process are ongoing. It is our hope that by the next review, the institution will have been established.
Discriminatory Laws
The Czech Republic also enquired on the implementation of recommendations of the commission of enquiry, which was tasked to look into provisions of the Constitution which were alleged to be discriminatory. Indeed the Commission concluded that sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Constitution were discriminatory, and these were amended to accommodate the concerns.
