21 Nov 2016

The Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation has explained that government was studying the possibility of signing the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

According to the ministry, Botswana was not a state party to the convention.

This was explained in Parliament by the Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe on Thursday, answering a question on behalf of international affairs minister, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi.

“It is worth pointing out that, normally, before a country ratifies or accedes to the treaty, it has to examine it closely in order to fully ascertain its implications, including assessment of the country’s capacity to fulfill the treaty’s reporting and other requirements,” Mr Kwerepe said.

“This is done because, in most cases, international treaties impose both rights and obligations on countries and some of these could have far reaching implications,” he added.

Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP, Mr Shawn Ntlhaile had asked the minister to state the position of Botswana on the said convention.BOPA