The Minister in the Prime Minister's office, Mr. Sephiri Motanyane says democratic systems and promotion of human rights are the basic ingredients of good governance. He was speaking on Wednesday 20 November,2002 at the ongoing Non- governmental Organisations (NGOs) workshop at the Cooperatives College in Maseru.

Mr. Motanyane referred to human rights as a vehicle for poverty reduction, and added that it is difficult for people to come together and formulate policies to achieve common goals in an environment that has no human rights and democratic values. "None of these rights and freedoms can be secured without the rule of law and independent judiciary", he said.

The Minister added  that for any country, especially countries like Lesotho, to develop and eradicate poverty, democratic systems and human rights promotion are essential for sustainable poverty eradication. In conclusion, Mr. Motanyane said democracy is about choices of political parties, choices of policies and choices of personalities. He further indicated that the freedom of choices is meaningless without guarantee of human rights.

The conference was attended by representatives of all non-governmental organisations affiliated to the Lesotho Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (LCN) to review progress achieved in the past years, and to draw a plan of action after the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Some of the topics to be discussed  include; the African Union, the food crisis in Lesotho, challenges facing Poverty Reduction Strategy in Lesotho, and Human rights and democracy. 

21 November,2002