I.
Introduction
1. The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
(ACERWC/the Committee) extends its compliments to the Government of Lesotho
for submitting its initial report on the status of the implementation of the African
Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (the African Children’s Charter/the
Charter).
2. During its 26th Ordinary Session which was held on 16-19 November 2015, the
Committee considered the initial report of the Kingdom of Lesotho that was
submitted in compliance with State Parties obligation under Article 43 of the Charter.
3. The Committee congratulates the Kingdom of Lesotho for its delegation led by Mr
Molahlehi Letlotlo, Minister of Social Development and for the productive discussion
it had with the Committee. The discussion informed the Committee the measures the
State Party has taken towards the implementation of the Charter as well as the
challenges it is facing. After the consideration of the report, the Committee has
adopted the following concluding observations and recommendations.
II.
PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHARTER
4. The Committee would like to congratulate the Kingdom of Lesotho for taking the
following measures to give effect to the provisions of the African Children’s Charter:
a. the enactment of Child Protection and Welfare Act (CPWA);
b. the establishment of child protection units;
c. setting the minimum age of marriage at 18 years of age;
d. the adoption of a Reproductive Health Policy and Immunization Policy;
e. the establishment of Restorative Justice Committees for juvenile offenders; and
f. the establishment of residential care facilities.
III.
AREAS OF CONCERN AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. General measures of implementation
5. The Committee notes with appreciation the adoption of new laws and policies as
well as the revision of laws that is taking place to ensure compliance with the African
Children’s Charter. In this regard, the Committee encourages the Government of
Lesotho to expedite the harmonization process and to give due consideration to the
principles and standards of the Charter in harmonizing and revising laws.
6. The Committee commends the adoption of the CPWA and the measures taken by
the Government to implement the Act. The State Party is encouraged to
institutionalize the implementation of the act to assert that an appropriate monitoring
and evaluation is undertaken on the implementation. In this regard, the Committee
highly recommends for the State Party to strengthen the Directorate of Children’s
Services in terms of human resource, budget and institutional setup. Furthermore,
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