‘STATE HAS DUTY TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS’

SITEKI - “It is the duty of the State to protect and further promote human rights,” Law Lecturer at the University of Swaziland (UNISWA) Selby Gama said.

Gama was making a presentation on good governance, human rights and the rule of law during a conference on rule of law, hosted by Lawyers for Human Rights Swaziland (LHRS) at Siteki Hotel yesterday.
The conference was sponsored by the American Embassy.

Gama said all human beings, irrespective of race or religion, were beneficiaries of human rights, further saying to ensure that all humans enjoyed basic rights, the State had an obligation to protect and further promote human rights.
Gama, a former magistrate and registrar of the High Court of Swaziland, said human rights were inalienable, indivisible, inter-dependent and universal.

“We are neither supplicants when it comes to these rights nor is it the favour of the State we seek in enjoying them. They are entitlements we deserve by virtue of our being human beings. They are axiomatic,” he said provoking a loud round of applause from attendees.
Gama further challenged lawyers to take the lead in protecting and promoting human rights.

He quoted Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella, whom he said was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Canada.
“Justice Abella said lawyers are the gatekeepers and groundskeepers of the fields of the law.

As such we should be in the front line for reform, taking on outdated systems and being seen to be putting the public before our pockets or our prestige.

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