The Lesotho Law Reform Commission (LLRC), with support from the European Union-funded Support for the Reform and Strengthening of Governance in Lesotho Programme, convened a stakeholder consultation workshop on 8 June 2026 to discuss the findings of a report on obsolete and archaic laws affecting vulnerable and marginalized groups in Lesotho. The workshop formed part of efforts to identify laws that are outdated, discriminatory, inconsistent with constitutional values and international human rights standards, and to recommend their amendment or repeal.
The meeting brought together representatives from civil society organisations and other stakeholders, including the Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of the Disabled (LNFOD), Transformation Resource Centre (TRC), Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL), Development for Peace Education (DPE), MNN Centre for Investigative Journalism, Section 2 and several other organisations. The purpose of the engagement was to enable stakeholders to scrutinise the draft report, identify gaps and contribute recommendations before its finalisation.
The report examined the impact of numerous laws on women, children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable groups with a view to promoting equality, human dignity and access to justice. During the discussions, a representative of the LNFOD welcomed the fact that many of the concerns and proposals submitted by persons with disabilities had been reflected in the draft report. He observed that consultations involving persons with disabilities are often tokenistic, but noted that the present exercise had meaningfully captured their views, while acknowledging that some aspects of the report still required further refinement. Participants subsequently engaged in working groups and provided feedback that will inform the final report and future law reform initiatives.
While the workshop itself has concluded, the broader law reform process remains ongoing. The consultation formed part of a wider series of engagements aimed at refining the findings and recommendations of the report before it is finalized and submitted to the relevant authorities. The event therefore represents an important milestone in a longer-term process aimed at creating a more inclusive, equitable and rights-based legal framework in Lesotho.