The Human Rights Chair at the Faculty of Law, National University of Lesotho (NUL) supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), for the first time, organized the International Human Rights Day celebration on 9th December, 2022.

The celebrations, which marked the “75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” focused on exploring the human rights dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the extent to which they could inform and shape policy formulation for effective implementation in Lesotho.

This was done through an essay competition which called upon students to author papers on ‘the human rights dimensions of the sustainable development goals in Lesotho’. A total of thirteen (13) submissions were received. The celebration took place at the Netherlands Hall, Roma Campus. Attendants comprised of students, members of staff including the Registrar, Mrs. Liteboho Maqalika-Lerotholi, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Letzadzo Kometsi, Associate Professor Keneuoe Mots’oene who is the Director of the Moshoeshoe 1 Institute of Peace and Leadership and the Human Rights Chair, Dr. Carol Chi Ngang, who delivered the keynote address, introducing the human rights day celebrations at NUL.

The event was also honoured by the presence of the Area Chief, Chief Toloane and a representative of the Community Council, Mr. Thakabanna Lerata. The event also featured a brilliant theatrical performance by the Mankabelane Theatre group, which showcased a dramatization of the human rights provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in relation with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The winners of the essay competition were announced by Dr. Denis N. Yuni who led the evaluation panel.

The winners were as follows:

1st Prize Hlalefang Leemisa Tlhalefo Leemisa

2nd Prize Tselane Monoto

3rd Prize Tšepo Philip Lipholo and Makopoi Shebang