International Mechanism Submissions

Although the last known execution was in 1995, Lesotho has not abolished the death penalty and has not ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Lesotho retains the death penalty for crimes other than the most serious and officials have called for executions to resume. People charged with capital crimes are at risk of torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, and face violations of their fair trial rights. Detention conditions violate international human rights standards.

This report recommends Lesotho abolish the death penalty and ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR (OP2) and the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). This report also recommends a broad range of interim measures relating to the death penalty, the prohibition against torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, access to justice, and detention conditions.