A/HRC/10/69
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with international standards on prisons. Italy noted that the worst forms of child labour are still
practiced in Botswana and that, according to the ILO Committee of Experts, no programme of
action to eliminate them has been designed by the Government. Italy also noted child labour has
been linked to cases of commercial sexual exploitation. It recommended that the Government of
Botswana urgently design and adopt the necessary programmes of action to address the problem
of child labour, as requested by the Committee on the Rights of the Child and ILO. Italy noted
the importance of human rights education in school systems at all levels. In this connection, Italy
recommended that Botswana develop a national strategy for human rights education in the
school system at all levels in accordance with the Plan of Action 2005-2009 of the World
Programme for Human Rights Education, including the review and revision of curricula and
textbooks, the training of teachers and the practice of human rights in the school community.
64.
South Africa requested additional information on the lessons learned after the conclusion
of its National Plan of Action for Children. South Africa recommended Botswana consider
providing sufficient resources to the Office of the Ombudsman for its effective functioning, and
recommended that the Council make available the requisite support in the areas highlighted
under section VI on expectations in terms of technical assistance in the national report of
Botswana.
65.
Canada, while noting that universal human rights exist to protect minorities from the rule
of the majority, suggested that Governments should not leave social progress to civil society
alone, particularly if they are not allowed to be organized. Governments have the responsibility
to lead by example. Canada recommended that Botswana decriminalize same-sex activity by
adults and that it eliminate the use of death penalty. Canada recommended that Botswana review
the definition of discrimination provided under section III of the Constitution with regard to its
compatibility with the prohibition against discrimination on the basis of descent and national or
ethnic origin. It recommended that it take appropriate measures for the provisions in article 15 of
the Constitution to fully comply with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Concerned about the removal of communities residing in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve,
Canada recommended that Botswana take steps to promote a just and equitable solution through
renewed negotiations with affected members of these communities. Canada also recommended
that Botswana respect the economic, social and cultural rights of persons belonging to minorities
living or formerly living on the Reserve. It recommended that Botswana follow the Human
Rights Committee’s recommendation to increase efforts to raise awareness of the precedence of
constitutional law over customary laws and practices so as to promote gender equality.
66.
Latvia recommended that Botswana consider issuing a standing invitation to all special
procedures mandate-holders of the Council.
67.
Maldives noted that Botswana faced complex challenges relating to the rights of
indigenous peoples, especially the Basarwa, child protection, domestic violence, the
administration of justice, legal aid and prison conditions, adding that it was vital for the
international community, led by the Council and OHCHR, to assist in addressing these issues.
Maldives asked if the Government has considered extending a standing invitation to special
procedures, adding that mandates, including the Special Rapporteur on the independence of
judges and lawyers, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression and the
Special Rapporteur on violence against women could offer practical assistance. It also asked if
the Government considered ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, a
mechanism that can support efforts to improve the administration of justice and detention
conditions. It recommended that OHCHR support Botswana in its efforts to improve national
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