The Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Rehabilitation and of Law and Constitutional Affairs has appealed to the Ministers of Justice and Attorney Generals to ensure protection of human
rights and the rule of law.

Mrs. Mpeo Mahase-Moiloa was addressing Ministers of Justice and Attorney Generals of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries in Maseru on Friday.

She urged participants to work hard and to progressively strive for the attainment of gender equality by 2015.

On the issue of education, the Minister said Lesotho has drafted a Bill making education not only free, but compulsory, adding that however the country is facing a challenge of a child boy education.

She said boys under 18 years of age are still denied their basic right to education by working as herd boys due to the country's culture.

She therefore, urged the participants to take this meeting as an opportunity to discuss how they can enhance the legal framework in the SADC region.

The meeting started on Friday at Maseru Sun in preparation for the oncoming Heads of State and of Government summit to be held later this month in Lusaka, Zambia.

SOURCE: LENA 03/08/2007