15 Dec 2025

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana, has urged Batswana to understand and appreciate the importance of their rights.
Delivering a message on Human Rights commemorations day recently, Mr Ramaotwana said government continued to reaffirm the values of human rights and promote public participation in shaping daily life. He said all Batswana and all inhabitants of Botswana had a role to play in the country’s development and prosperity.
“This is the new Botswana which we are currently building together, and every person living in Botswana and every organization should hold hands with government to achieve this reality,” Mr Ramaotwana said.
This year’s Human Rights Day is commemorated under the theme: Our Everyday Essentials, which focuses on bridging the gap between human rights principles and day-to-day experiences. The theme aims to increase awareness, inspire confidence and encourage collective action.
The minister said government, as a human-rights–centred administration, remained committed to improving the lives of all people living in Botswana. He highlighted initiatives such as the Bonno Housing Project, access to education, food and water, as well as ensuring a safe and peaceful environment. He emphasised that the wellbeing of every person was central to the national development agenda.
‘Government continues to reaffirm the values of human rights and promote public participation in shaping daily life. All all inhabitants of Botswana have a role to play in the country’s development and prosperity.’
Mr Ramaotwana, however noted that challenges such as unemployment, drug abuse, strains in the health sector and rising delinquency continued to hinder the enjoyment of human rights. Human Rights Day, he said, served as a call to all citizens, residents, public officials, the private sector and civil society to recognise their importance in Botswana’s development journey and to speak with one voice in moving the country forward.
“This is a moment to reaffirm the spirit of botho and ubuntu. It is also the spirit of Ikageng, which reminds us that every individual, in their small or big space, can contribute meaningfully to the development of Botswana for the benefit of future generations,” he said. ENDS