Maseru, June 08 — The Ministry of Justice and Law, through the Lesotho Law Reform Commission, on Monday hosted a Stakeholder Consultative Engagement Workshop aimed at reviewing laws that may be outdated, discriminatory or no longer relevant to present-day realities.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Law and Justice Mr. Richard Ramoeletsi said the consultation comes at a critical stage in Lesotho’s legal and constitutional development.
He noted that the country’s legal system is the product of a complex historical evolution that combines customary law, Roman-Dutch law and colonial-era statutes.
He said while this legal heritage has shaped Lesotho’s jurisprudence, it has also left the country with laws that are outdated, obsolete and, in some cases, discriminatory.
Mr. Ramoeletsi stated that many existing laws no longer reflect current social, political and economic realities and are inconsistent with constitutional principles such as equality, human dignity, non-discrimination and access to justice.
He said the review found that some laws continue to disproportionately affect vulnerable and marginalised groups, including women, persons with disabilities and members of minority communities.
Deputy Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Law, Ms. Thato Masiloane, commended the Lesotho Law Reform Commission for undertaking the review and for its efforts to modernise the country’s legal system.
She mentioned that the Lesotho Law Reform Commission had undertaken extensive research to identify laws, policies and legal practices that may negatively affect vulnerable groups.
She said the research involved consultations with government ministries, public institutions, civil society organisations, community representatives and other stakeholders.
Ms. Masiloane noted that the consultations resulted in the development of a draft report containing key findings and recommendations for legal reform. She explained that the purpose of the workshop was to allow stakeholders to critically examine the report, identify any gaps and contribute additional recommendations before it is finalised.
Chairperson of the Lesotho Law Reform Commission, Dr. Letzadzo Kometsi, explained that the review focused on identifying laws that are archaic, obsolete or no longer relevant to current societal needs.
He said the Commission developed criteria to assess whether laws remain effective in addressing contemporary challenges and whether they align with international legal standards and human rights principles.
Dr. Kometsi noted that the Commission examined laws across various sectors, including those affecting vulnerable groups, education, social welfare and disability rights.
He stressed that the key issue was not necessarily the age of a law but its relevance.
According to Dr. Kometsi, the review sought to determine whether existing laws adequately respond to the needs of society, support economic development and reflect international legal developments.
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to modernise Lesotho’s laws and ensure they promote equality, protect human rights and respond effectively to the needs of all citizens.
Ends/MAMAJ/tl
