THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO COMBINED SECOND TO EIGHTH PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS AND INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA ARTICLE 5: RIGHT TO DIGNITY, PROHIBITION OF TORTURE AND SLAVERY Constitutional measures 37. The Constitution of Lesotho entrenches a number of rights in recognition of the right to dignity. The right to dignity is an inherent right of every human being by virtue of being human, unqualified in its application. Section 8 of the Constitution protects the right to freedom from torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment in the following words: (1) No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment. (2) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question authorises the infliction of any description of punishment that was lawful in Lesotho immediately before the coming into operation of this Constitution. 38. Section 9 of the Constitution of Lesotho entrenches the freedom from slavery and forced labour. Limitations with regard to forced labour are: (a) Any labour required during any period when Lesotho is at war or a declaration of emergency; (b) Any labour reasonably required by law as part of reasonable and normal community or other civic obligations; (c) Any labour required in consequence of a sentence or order of court; (d) Any labour required of a person in lawful detention necessary for the interests of proper hygiene or maintenance of a place at which he is detained and (e) Any labour required of a member of a disciplined force.18 18 Constitution of Lesotho section 9(3). 16