On the sidelines of ongoing governmental sessions, the Honourable Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, Honourable Lebona Lephema, held a bilateral meeting with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The meeting was attended by UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner, Ms. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela.
The discussions focused on strengthening collaborative efforts to implement pledges made by the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho regarding refugee protection and support. Honourable Lephema highlighted the need for technical assistance to review Lesotho’s legal frameworks, aiming to align national policies with international standards for refugee protection.
During the meeting, the Minister explained that the Government has temporarily suspended the issuance of identity documents to refugees due to concerns over irregularities in the process. Despite this suspension, Honourable Lephema emphasized Lesotho’s ongoing commitment to upholding its obligations under international refugee law and ensuring the protection and well-being of all refugees within its borders.
Ms. Menikdiwela responded by reaffirming UNHCR’s readiness to provide technical support to address legal and administrative challenges. She noted that, although the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Southern Africa has recently relocated to Kenya, support for countries in the region, including Lesotho, will continue at the same level.
The meeting underscores Lesotho’s proactive approach to improving refugee protection while maintaining close collaboration with international partners. By strengthening legal frameworks and ensuring compliance with global standards, the Government aims to provide secure and dignified living conditions for refugees in the country.
This engagement reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to international cooperation and demonstrates its willingness to address operational challenges while upholding human rights. The partnership with UNHCR is expected to deliver technical guidance and capacity-building measures that will enhance the Government’s ability to manage refugee protection effectively.
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