By Maleshoane Ratsebe
Maseru—The People’s Matrix Association has taken the lead in mobilising a diverse coalition, alongside MISA Lesotho, The Human Dignity Trust and other key stakeholders, at Maseru Avani on Thursday, 15 May, to map out a national strategic campaign against hate crimes and hate speech.
The initiative aims to raise public awareness, influence the enactment of a Hate Crimes Act, and strengthen legal protections against hate crimes and hate speech in Lesotho, bolstering legal protections for all Basotho.
The convened groups stratergised on how best they can complement the legislative frameworks using a communications campaign while also ensuring the whole process is community-based.
The meeting brought together key contributors in the political, social and civil sectors unified under a common goal. Representatives from political parties, LGBTQI+ activists, organisations of people living with HIV and, sex workers led groups were among many who contributed to the vibrant dialogue.
Additionally, Government representatives, including the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Lesotho mounted police service’s Child and Gender Protection Unit(CGPU), alongside civil society organisations such as the Lesotho Council of NGOs, also took part in the meeting.
The Media was singled out as one of the areas that will require consistent
sensetisation as it is a key link in reaching the community and also plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative around hate crimes and hate speech.
The Ministry of Law and Justice’s Chief Legal Officer, Mrs Makatleho ‘Molotsi, encouraged the group to remain flexible and resilient, as the road ahead may hold unexpected twists:
“Depending on the circumstances along the way, sometimes we may need to stop. Sometimes we may need to change direction, which may appear to be safer or take us closer to our goal faster, and sometimes we may need to change speed, but at the end of the day, we will arrive there.”
She affirmed the Ministry’s, especially the human rights division’s, commitment to the course, “It is a great pleasure to announce that now the ministry is on board. I am also looking forward to working together going forward.”
Tampose Mothopeng, the People’s Matrix Association Director, says the meeting is only the beginning; the campaign will continue after the last draft from the meeting has been completed. There will be more public and collaborative engagement with the goal of fostering a society grounded in the values Basotho hold most dear: Hope, Respect, Inclusion, and Peace.
This meeting not only brought different stakeholders to discuss the topic, it served as a powerful coalition that will be steering the Hate Crimes and hate speech law enactment campaign.
