Realisation of the human rights of detainees awaiting trial in Lesotho

Abstract

Lesotho like many countries globally, adopted state Constitutions in an endeavour to safeguard and promote the rights of all citizens. The 1993 Constitution stands as a promissory note through which the country affirmed their declaration to protect the citizens. However, violations of human rights are happening at a worrying magnitude despite the Constitution. These violations are rife in detentions centres where this research work shall find that detainees succumb to interrogation fatigue and worst forms of treatment. The real issue of the rampant violations of human rights is that the perpetrators get away with their conduct. There seems to be leniency on the part of responsible institutions in the country to bring to book such perpetrators. The leniency manifests itself in a rather seemingly non holding of these perpetrators personally liable for their conduct. This research finds amongst others that no time has been this urgent to try bringing hope to the victims of such abuse of power through concerted efforts in holding perpetrators of such acts personally liable. Equally important this research work finds that another issue is the Lesotho legislation that seems to downplay the standard of conduct that amounts to torture meted against detainees who must ordinarily be treated through the lens of an innocent citizen.