AN ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATION AND ITS IMPACT ON DEVELOPMENT AID. THE CASE OF LESOTHO

Abstract

Human rights violations by the security forces in Lesotho are very rampant and have gone unchecked by the government. This is despite the fact that the country had ratified all of the treaties concerning them. It is the government’s ultimate responsibility to ensure that the security forces conduct their operations within the rule of law. These human rights violations are also a threat to development as a whole especially in a poor country like Lesotho that is dependent on development aid. The objectives of this study are to investigate incidence of human rights violation by the security forces in Lesotho, to analyses the impact of human rights breaches on development aid, to analyses the measures taken by the government in preventing these violations and lastly to analyses if Lesotho should be the focal point for development aid.
This research employed a qualitative method and analytical method to analyse data gathered. The 1st-4th chapter utilized data gathered through secondary data while the 5th chapter utilized primary data gathered from in depth interviews from 15 participants. The data shows that the measures taken by the government have loopholes which allow security forces to violate human rights with impunity. The violations are also taking a toll on economic development and public health. The results also show that these breaches don’t have any impact on development aid. Lastly, data also shows that Basotho still want development aid to continue despite breaches and lack of development.