Chapter three: Democracy and good political governance • Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. • African Youth Charter (signed, but not ratified). 128. Note: The information above was obtained from the Office of the UNHCHR. The government of Lesotho could not verify the accuracy of the information. 129. The CRM observes that Lesotho has signed the vast majority of international standards and codes pertaining to the promotion and protection of human rights, thereby signalling its intention to deepen democracy and good political governance. However, the CRM could not obtain the official register and status reports on the ratification and domestication, and implementation into local law, of the various agreements. The CRM notes that, in many instances, domestication of these international instruments is lagging behind, and, in some instances, the country has indicated formal reservations, as is the case with its accession to CEDAW, to be dealt with in more detail in the section on women’s rights (objective 7). Furthermore, reporting on the implementation of international standards and codes is either sporadic or, in many instances, has not been carried out at all. 130. In the CRM’s deliberations with various stakeholders, the issues of domestication and implementation were emphasised. It was also noted that the executive retains the authority to conclude international treaties and to take decisions regarding the signature and ratification thereof. There was strong sentiment on the part of legislators that the ratification of treaties excludes Parliament and they consequently suggested that international treaties and conventions be scrutinised by the legislature before they are acceded to by the executive. iii. Recommendations 131. The APR Panel recommends that: • International treaties and covenants be subjected to parliamentary scrutiny and discussion before accession. (Government of Lesotho, Parliament) • Concerted efforts be made to domesticate, into national law, the provisions of international treaties and conventions. (Government of Lesotho, Parliament) • Capacity be enhanced for reviewing and updating domestic laws in order to ensure that they are in line with the international agreements that the country has acceded to or ratified. (Government of Lesotho, Parliament) • Serious attempts be made to implement policies, laws and agreements. (Government of Lesotho, Parliament) 3.3 Assessment of performance on APRM objectives 132. The CRM assessment of democracy and good political governance examines Lesotho’s performance on nine APRM objectives. 51