Country Report for Lesotho

LAST UPDATED: August 2022

Summary of necessary legal reform to achieve full prohibition

Prohibition is still to be achieved in the home, alternative care settings, day care and penal institutions.

The Children’s Protection and Welfare Act 2011 provides for “justifiable” discipline of children (art. 16); the Penal Code Act 2010 provides for “lawful and reasonable chastisement of children” (art. 32). This provision should be repealed. The near universal social acceptance of corporal punishment in childrearing necessitates clarity in law that no level of corporal punishment can be considered “reasonable” or “justifiable” and prohibition of all corporal punishment and other cruel or degrading forms of punishment, in the home and all other settings where adults have authority over children.

Alternative care settings – Prohibition should be enacted in legislation applicable to all alternative care settings (foster care, institutions, places of safety, emergency care, etc).

Day care – Corporal punishment should be prohibited in all early childhood care (nurseries, crèches, kindergartens, preschools, family centres, etc) and all day care for older children (day centres, after-school childcare, childminding, etc).

Penal institutions – Prohibition of corporal punishment should be enacted in relation to disciplinary measures in all institutions for children in conflict with the law. Provisions for corporal punishment in the Prison Proclamation 1057 and the Prison Service Rules 1957 should be repealed.

Current legality of corporal punishment

Home

Corporal punishment is lawful in the home. In reporting to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Government stated that article 16 of the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act 2011 “prevents all types of corporal punishment”.[1] However, this article does not explicitly prohibit corporal punishment and in fact provides for “justifiable” discipline of children: “(1) A child has a right to be protected from torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including any cultural practice which degrades or is injurious to the physical, psychological, emotional and mental well-being of the child. (2) A child shall be chastised in accordance with his age, physical, psychological, emotional and mental condition and no discipline is justifiable if by reason of tender age or otherwise the child is incapable of understanding the purpose of the discipline.”

The Penal Code Act 2010 (in force 2012), intended to codify law already in place in Lesotho, provides a legal defence for the use of corporal punishment of children, stating in article 32 (“Lawful physical force”): “No offence is committed by a person who applies reasonable physical force to another when this is necessary – … (b) for the lawful and reasonable chastisement of children.” The official commentary on the Code states with regard to this article: “Parents and those exercising quasi-parental authority over children are entitled to use moderate force in chastising children under their control. The amount of force used must not be excessive: no parent is allowed to beat a child in a way which causes damage. The chastising of a child must be administered in good faith and proportionate to the misconduct, and not for any reason unconnected with discipline.”

As of November 2019, the Domestic Violence Bill is still under discussion[2] but we have no information on proposed provisions. A Children’s Protection and Welfare Act Amendment Bill 2018 is under discussion and would reportedly remove the “justifiable discipline of children” defence from the Act.[3] It does not seem that the Bill would amend the Penal Code Act 2010.

The Government reported to the Universal Periodic Review in 2020 that the recommendations extended in 2018 by the Committee on the Rights of the Child were being implemented, including the prohibition of corporal punishment. A Violence Against Children survey is being conducted and its results will inform the drafting of a National Action Plan.[4]

 

Alternative care settings

Corporal punishment is lawful in alternative care settings under the provisions for “justifiable” chastisement in the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act 2011 (art. 16) and for “lawful and reasonable chastisement of children” in the Penal Code Act 2010 (art. 32).

 

Day care

Corporal punishment is lawful in early childhood care and in day care for older children under the provision for “justifiable” chastisement in the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act 2011 (art. 16) and for “lawful and reasonable chastisement of children” in the Penal Code Act 2010 (art. 32).

 

Schools

Corporal punishment appears to be unlawful in schools. Article 4 of the Education Act 2010 prohibits cruel punishment: “(4) A learner shall not be subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.” While this does not explicitly prohibit corporal punishment, the accompanying Parliamentary Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Education Act 2010 clarifies that one purpose of the law is to prohibit corporal punishment: “5. The Bill abolishes corporal punishment at schools in accordance with section 8 of the Constitution which provides that a person shall not be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment.” Article 22 of the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act 2011 states that the state has a duty “to formulate policies which will ensure … (k) that … school discipline is consistent with a child’s rights and dignity” but it does not explicitly prohibit corporal punishment.

The Government has reported to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child that “the Education Act 2010 and the MOET’s School Regulations abolish corporal punishment in schools”.[5] But we have yet to confirm that the provisions for “lawful and reasonable chastisement of children” in the Penal Code Act 2010 (art. 32) and for “justifiable” chastisement in the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act 2011 (art. 16) may not be used as a legal defence for the use of corporal punishment by teachers. The Teaching Service Regulations 2002 are silent on the issue.

 

Penal institutions

Corporal punishment is lawful in penal institutions. The Prison Proclamation 1957 authorises the imposition of corporal punishment for certain prison disciplinary offences – for a person under 21 “ten strokes of a light cane” (art. 20). Rule 3 of the Lesotho Prison Service Rules 1957 states that the object of detaining a person in a juvenile training centre is to “keep them under discipline”, and rule 31 states that “no officer shall use force unnecessarily when dealing with prisoners”. But Rule 43 allows for the imposition of corporal punishment of males as a punishment for grave offences against prison discipline; rule 44 sets out the rules for its infliction, including the involvement of the medical officer. These laws appear to be still in force.[6]

According to article 22 of the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act 2011, the state has a duty “to formulate policies which will ensure … (q) that every child alleged as having infringed the penal law is treated in a manner consistent with his sense of dignity or worth and that he is reintegrated into society”, but the Act does not explicitly prohibit corporal punishment in penal institutions and allows for the use of “justifiable” chastisement (art. 16). Furthermore, the Penal Code authorises the use of physical force in the context of “lawful and reasonable chastisement of children” (art. 32).

 

Sentence for crime

Corporal punishment is unlawful as a sentence for crime. Article 127(5) of the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act 2011 explicitly prohibits corporal punishment and public humiliation as part of diversion and article 161(2) states: “No sentence of corporal punishment or any form of punishment that is cruel, inhumane or degrading may be imposed on a child.” Under article 2(4), the Act prevails over provisions in other legislation “contrary or less protective or less promotive”, which would presumably include the provisions for judicial whipping in the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 1981.

 

[1] [2015], Initial state party report, page 30

[2] 4 November 2019, A/HRC/WG.6/35/LSO/1, National report to the UPR, para. 28

[3] 14 March 2018, CRC/C/LSO/Q/2/Add.1, Reply to list of issues, para. 18

[4] 4 November 2019, A/HRC/WG.6/35/LSO/1, National report to the UPR, paras. 18 and 73

[5] [2015], Initial state party report, page 73

[6] Lesotho Legal Information Institute, http://www.lesotholii.org/ls/legislation/act/1964/30, accessed 25 May 2017

Universal Periodic Review of Lesotho’s human rights record

Lesotho was examined in the first cycle of the Universal Periodic Review in 2010 (session 8). The following recommendation was made and was accepted by the Government, stating that it considers it already implemented or in the process of implementation:[1]

“Raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility, and abolish child corporal punishment (Brazil)”

The second cycle review took place in 2015 (session 21). No recommendations were made specifically on corporal punishment but the Government accepted recommendations to harmonise national laws with international human rights obligations, to protect the rights of children and to implement all the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.[2]

Third cycle examination took place in 2020 (session 35). No recommendation was made on corporal punishment but the following recommendations were supported:[3]

“Continue setting up a comprehensive system to protect children’s rights and develop a national strategy to prevent and address all forms of violence against them (Ukraine)”

“Take concrete measures necessary to prevent and combat the abuse of children, including domestic violence and sexual exploitation and abuse (Vanuatu)”

“Step up efforts to prevent and combat the abuse of children, including domestic violence, sexual exploitation, mutilation of body parts and child labour, including by developing and enhancing national programmes and strategies (Brazil)”

“Take all necessary steps to prevent and combat the ill-treatment of children, including domestic violence and sexual exploitation and abuse (Chile)”

“Continue to strengthen efforts to prevent and combat the abuse of children, including domestic and sexual exploitation and abuses (Ghana)”

 

[1] 16 June 2010, A/HRC/15/7, Report of the working group, para. 97(34)

[2] 13 April 2015, A/HRC/29/9, Report of the working group, paras. 113(3), 113(6), 113(41) and 113(74)

[3] 4 February 2020, A/HRC/WG.6/35/L.5 Unedited version, Draft report of the Working Group, paras. 110(151), 110(153), 110(159), 110(161) and 110(163)

Recommendations by human rights treaty bodies

Committee on the Rights of the Child

(1 June 2018, CRC/C/LSO/CO/2 Unedited advance version, Concluding observations on second report, paras. 26, 27 and 29)

“The Committee notes that corporal punishment is prohibited in schools by law. However, the Committee is seriously concerned that corporal punishment is not explicitly prohibited by law at home, in alternative care settings, day care or penal institutions and that it continues to be used at school despite prohibition.

“With reference to its general comment No. 8 (2006) on corporal punishment, the Committee urges the State party to:

(a) Explicitly prohibit corporal punishment in all settings by law;

(b) Effectively enforce the prohibition of corporal punishment in schools and provide children with a complaints mechanism in schools so that they can safely and confidentially report cases of corporal punishment;

(c) Provide programmes for parents, teachers, and professionals that work with and for children to encourage the use of alternative non-violent forms of discipline and strengthen, in particular, teacher training and ensure it is part of pre- and in-service training programmes;

(d) Strengthen public awareness raising programmes to promote the change of mindset.”

“With reference to its general comment No.13 (2011) on the right of the child to freedom from all forms of violence and taking note of Sustainable Development Goal 16.2 to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture of children, the Committee urges the State party to:

(h) Establish a national database on all cases of violence against children, including corporal punishment, ill-treatment, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and sexual exploitation and abuse.”

 

Committee on the Rights of the Child

(21 February 2001, CRC/C/15/Add.147, Concluding observations on initial report, paras. 31, 32, 61 and 62)

“While noting that corporal punishment is prohibited by law in schools, the Committee remains concerned that the practice continues to be widespread in schools and in the family, in the care and juvenile justice systems and generally in society. The Committee is concerned, in particular, that corporal punishment of children is accepted among the public at large.

“The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to implement effectively legislation prohibiting corporal punishment in schools and in care and juvenile justice institutions, and consider prohibiting corporal punishment in the family. The Committee recommends, in addition, that the State party raise awareness of the negative effects of such punishment and ensure that discipline in families, schools and all institutions is administered in a manner consistent with the child’s dignity and in conformity with the Convention. The Committee recommends, further, that the State party promote the use of alternative disciplinary measures, in accordance with the principles and provisions of the Convention.

“While the Committee notes that a juvenile justice system has been established in the State party, the Committee remains concerned at:

k) the legality of corporal punishment as a penalty for boys who have committed criminal offences under the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 1981…

“The Committee recommends that the State party:

b) amend the law as soon as possible in order abolish the sanction of flogging for juvenile delinquents and, in the meantime, provisionally suspend the application of this form of sanction.”

 

Human Rights Committee

(8 April 1999, CCPR/C/79/Add.106, concluding observations on initial report, para. 20)

“The Committee expresses concern about the treatment of detainees in contravention of articles 7 and 10 of the Covenant. While it notes the statement by the delegation that corporal punishment has been abolished, it observes with concern that the State party report indicates that corporal punishment is still being practised, provided that medical doctors are present. The Committee urges the State party to take the necessary measures to improve prison conditions and to abolish totally corporal punishment both in law and in practice.”

 

African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

([November 2015], Concluding observations on initial report, para. 27)

“The Committee commends that the Education Act proscribes corporal punishment in schools. The Committee further encourages the State Party to legislatively ban corporal punishment in all settings including home. Additionally, the State Party should sensitize children, parents and teachers on positive disciplining mechanisms that do not involve physical or verbal punishments.”

Prevalence/attitudinal research in the last ten years

A 2018 MIC Survey involving 9996 children between the age of 1-14 years, found that 75.8% of the children experienced any violent discipline method, 6.9% experienced severe physical punishment, 58.5% experienced psychological aggression and 18.9% experienced only non-violent discipline method. Amongst the 5115 mothers/caretakers who responded to a child discipline module, 21.6% of them believed that a child needs to be physically punished.  

(Bureau of Statistics (2019) Lesotho Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2018, Survey Findings Report, Maseru, Lesotho: Bureau of Statistics)

As part of a situational analysis of vulnerable children carried out in 2011, caregivers were asked whether children had been disciplined for behavioural problems in the three months prior to the survey; 9.2% of all children had been hit or shaken in response to a perceived behavioural problem. An implement was used in 75.1% of cases, with the child hit on the bottom (40%), hand/arm/leg (26.8%), or face/head/ears (6.8%). A bruise or other mark was left on the child due to the punishment in 15.4% of cases, meaning 1.4% of all children had been physically punished to such an extent that it left a mark. A total of 40.8% of children aged 12-17 years believed that physical discipline was necessary to raise a child. Of these children, 14.3% said that they had been called a name or called stupid in the three months before the survey.

(Reported in Government of Lesotho, Initial Report of Lesotho on the Implementation of the African Union Charter on the Rights & Welfare of the Child 1999-2013)