02 Mar 2016

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, has travelled to Geneva, Switzerland to participate in the 31st Session of the UN Human Rights Council scheduled for  February 29 to March 24.  

The minister participated in the high level segment of the session, which took place from February 29 to March 2.

The high level segment was expected to afford high level representatives of member states an opportunity to make submissions on a wide range of human rights issues, including, on the ongoing conflicts such as in Syria, Burundi and South Sudan; human rights hot-spots such as North Korea, Iran and the Middle East; terrorist acts by such groups as ISIS and Boko Haram; as well as natural disasters, like Ebola and the Zika virus diseases.

Botswana is a member of the Human Rights Council, which has a total of 47 members, elected by the United Nations General Assembly for three-year terms. 

Botswana is on its second term, which ends in December 2017.  

Minister Venson-Moitoi is expected back home today. Ends