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11 November 2024
Cash Assistance Empowers Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Botswana
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13 May 2024
Botswana launches Operation Triple Zero to target HIV treatment gaps amongst adolescents
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23 November 2023
Empowering The Future: Gala Dinner In Honor of First Lady Mrs. Neo Jane Masisi As UNAIDS Champion
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Botswana
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Botswana:
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11 November 2024
Cash Assistance Empowers Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Botswana
Mkeyo*, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, expressed his joy upon receiving cash assistance: “We have been waiting for this for a long time. With cash, we can buy anything we want.”
As the sun rose over the plains of eastern Botswana, refugees, and asylum-seekers in the remote village of Dukwi eagerly awaited their cash assistance at the local post office. This distribution was part of a Cash-Based Intervention (CBI) programme recently launched by UNHCR, in collaboration with the Government of Botswana, to provide critical financial support to vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers at the Dukwi refugee camp, replacing the previous system of distributing food and non-food items.
Since its launch in Botswana, the CBI programme has benefited approximately 855 refugees and asylum-seekers from 249 households. With cash in hand, Mkeyo plans to invest in his bakery business by purchasing additional baking trays. “I have already purchased additional baking trays and plan to bake more. This will allow me to offer credit to customers, knowing that they will pay back once they receive their monthly CBI transfers. He noted that cash assistance has also created a market for local vegetable vendors.
During the annual engagement with refugees at Dukwi camp, Botswana’s Justice Minister, Machana Ronald Samukuni, applauded the CBI initiative: “This intervention empowers refugees to determine their own needs and promotes peaceful co-existence with host communities, benefiting the local economy.” The minister highlighted Botswana’s efforts to protect refugees, including overhauling its Refugee Act as part of its Global Refugee Forum pledges, appointing members of the Refugee Advisory Committee in April 2024, and planning to grant more citizenships to enhance integration and social cohesion.
Yusuf*, an 18-year-old refugee from Somalia, shared his excitement about receiving cash assistance: “it feels great going to the post office like everyone else. Now I can buy additional items like toiletries and access my money outside the camp.”
Graca*, a 54-year-old widow and asylum-seeker from Angola, hopes to become a citizen and saves a portion of her CBI each month to start a new life outside the camp. One of her five children has already received an identity document, a little but significant step towards their new life.
“I am happy because I am currently in the process of becoming a citizen’ she says, “Once I get my citizenship, I will be able to use my savings to start a new life outside the camp,” said Graca.
“The rollout of CBI in Botswana marks a significant milestone, improving business processes and operational efficiencies, and ensuring timely provision of basic needs assistance” explained UNHCR’s CBI Officer, Gloria Ekuyoa, in appreciation to the government’s support.
In 2023, UNHCR provided over USD 700 million in cash assistance to 7 million people across 100 countries, with 95% of this cash being unrestricted. As for Mkeyo, Graca, Yusuf, and other UNHCR persons of concern at Dukwi camp, they remain optimistic about their future. “I cannot wait to finally become a Motswana,” said Graca.
*Only first names have been used for protection reasons.
As the sun rose over the plains of eastern Botswana, refugees, and asylum-seekers in the remote village of Dukwi eagerly awaited their cash assistance at the local post office. This distribution was part of a Cash-Based Intervention (CBI) programme recently launched by UNHCR, in collaboration with the Government of Botswana, to provide critical financial support to vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers at the Dukwi refugee camp, replacing the previous system of distributing food and non-food items.
Since its launch in Botswana, the CBI programme has benefited approximately 855 refugees and asylum-seekers from 249 households. With cash in hand, Mkeyo plans to invest in his bakery business by purchasing additional baking trays. “I have already purchased additional baking trays and plan to bake more. This will allow me to offer credit to customers, knowing that they will pay back once they receive their monthly CBI transfers. He noted that cash assistance has also created a market for local vegetable vendors.
During the annual engagement with refugees at Dukwi camp, Botswana’s Justice Minister, Machana Ronald Samukuni, applauded the CBI initiative: “This intervention empowers refugees to determine their own needs and promotes peaceful co-existence with host communities, benefiting the local economy.” The minister highlighted Botswana’s efforts to protect refugees, including overhauling its Refugee Act as part of its Global Refugee Forum pledges, appointing members of the Refugee Advisory Committee in April 2024, and planning to grant more citizenships to enhance integration and social cohesion.
Yusuf*, an 18-year-old refugee from Somalia, shared his excitement about receiving cash assistance: “it feels great going to the post office like everyone else. Now I can buy additional items like toiletries and access my money outside the camp.”
Graca*, a 54-year-old widow and asylum-seeker from Angola, hopes to become a citizen and saves a portion of her CBI each month to start a new life outside the camp. One of her five children has already received an identity document, a little but significant step towards their new life.
“I am happy because I am currently in the process of becoming a citizen’ she says, “Once I get my citizenship, I will be able to use my savings to start a new life outside the camp,” said Graca.
“The rollout of CBI in Botswana marks a significant milestone, improving business processes and operational efficiencies, and ensuring timely provision of basic needs assistance” explained UNHCR’s CBI Officer, Gloria Ekuyoa, in appreciation to the government’s support.
In 2023, UNHCR provided over USD 700 million in cash assistance to 7 million people across 100 countries, with 95% of this cash being unrestricted. As for Mkeyo, Graca, Yusuf, and other UNHCR persons of concern at Dukwi camp, they remain optimistic about their future. “I cannot wait to finally become a Motswana,” said Graca.
*Only first names have been used for protection reasons.
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13 May 2024
Botswana launches Operation Triple Zero to target HIV treatment gaps amongst adolescents
UNICEF, alongside the Ministry of Health, NAHPA, CDC, and partners Sentebale and Baylor Botswana, have just rolled out Operation Triple Zero, also known as OTZ, in Gaborone.Although Botswana has made major strides in addressing the HIV epidemic, stigma and discrimination, continue to pose a significant barrier for children and adolescents living with HIV, to accessing HIV testing and treatment services, staying on treatment and becoming virally suppressed. According to the latest Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V) launched in 2023, young people’s HIV treatment outcomes seem lower when compared to adults. Adolescent girls and young women are proportionately more affected and continue to face gender-based inequalities and violence. To tackle this HIV treatment gap among adolescents, and address some underlying contributors to poor treatment outcomes, the Ministry of Health has partnered with the National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA), UNICEF, CDC, Botswana-Baylor and Sentebale, to launch a comprehensive package of interventions aimed at strengthening the capacity of the national response to cater for the specific needs of adolescents living with HIV.
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23 November 2023
Empowering The Future: Gala Dinner In Honor of First Lady Mrs. Neo Jane Masisi As UNAIDS Champion
In a historic event held at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) last night, the President's Office, in collaboration with UNAIDS and NAHPA, hosted a Gala Dinner to celebrate the recent appointment of Her Excellency Mrs. Neo Jane Masisi as the UNAIDS Champion for the Empowerment and Engagement of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW).
This prestigious recognition, bestowed upon Mrs. Neo Jane Masisi during the 78th UN General Assembly in New York in September, signifies her remarkable strides in the global fight against the spread of HIV, especially among adolescents and young people. Notably, this follows her earlier honorary recognition in 2019 as the UNAIDS Special Ambassador for the empowerment and engagement of young people in Botswana
As a UNAIDS Champion, Mrs. Neo Jane Masisi operates internationally, leveraging her influence to address the persistent challenges posed by HIV/AIDS. This notable status is the second of its kind in Africa to be awarded by UNAIDS, underscoring her commitment to the HIV response for young people.
The Gala Dinner, attended by a distinguished audience including the President, Vice President, Minister of State, Head of the Diplomatic Corps in Botswana, Chairman of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, dignitaries from various sectors, and special guests- adolescent girls and your people- served as a platform for Mrs. Neo Jane Masisi to outline the strategic goals of her advocacy. These include supporting public engagement and education programs, collaborating with media and communication stakeholders, and actively participating in public sector legislation and policy mandates.
Other key figures, the Honourable Minister for State President Mr. Kabo Morwaeng, National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency Coordinator Mr. Ontiretse Letlhare, and UNAIDS Country Director Mr. Alankar Malviya, delivered impactful remarks during the evening. Young women also made their remarks including in entertaining poetic form,
Mrs. Neo Jane Masisi, in her acceptance statement, expressed her dedication to improving the lives of young women and girls, empowering them to be confident future leaders, successful entrepreneurs, and excel in all fields they aspire to pursue: "I accept this on behalf of Botswana and look forward to contributing in improving the lives of young women and girls and empower them to be confident future leaders, successful entrepreneurs, and excelling in all fields they aspire to pursue."
In his remarks the UNAIDS Country Director Mr. Alankar Malviya said, We thank you, Your Excellency for generously giving your time and leadership that helped to generate momentum towards achieving an inclusive response to AIDS, contributing in Botswana achieving 95-98-98 and amplifying voices of young people to facilitate youth friendly spaces.
However, the NAHPA National Coordinator shared, "Adolescent Girls and Young Women bear a disproportionate burden of HIV, accounting for 9% of the population but facing 24% of new infections. Although Botswana has surpassed the 95-95-95 UNAIDS global targets, the AGYW category falls below the national average, standing at 82.3% under the first 95% target."
Hon. Morwaeng celebrated Mrs. Neo Jane Masisi's second recognition from UNAIDS, stating, "What should please us the most as Batswana is that this high-level appointment is not the first for Mmaarona but the second recognition from UNAIDS. The appointment we are recognizing and celebrating here today serves as positive feedback and a vote of confidence for her performance in the previous role of Special Ambassador for young people in Botswana, a mandate which she executed diligently."
The President's Office, NAHPA, UNAIDS express their appreciation to all guests, partners, and sponsors who contributed to the success of this historic event. Botswana is prepared to make tremendous progress in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS and bring hope and empowerment to the lives of adolescent girls and young women, with the First Lady spearheading the charge.
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23 November 2023
Development Partner’s Forum enables Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for SDGs
The United Nations in Botswana hosted its 2nd Annual Development Partners Forum in Gaborone on 25 – 26 October 2023 in Gaborone, Botswana. Through convening varied development partners, the Forum brings a wide range of voices and opinions to the table, and foster partnerships for development.
The Forum provides an important platform for development partners to explore ways to partner with the Government of Botswana on emerging issues, development plans and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is in recognition that only with multi-partner and multi-lateral cooperation can we find a viable pathway to a more prosperous, equitable, healthy, and secure country and planet.
Held under the theme, "The Upper Middle-Income Country (UMIC) Paradox - Botswana's progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals", participants discussed progress and challenges on the country’s development endeavours, including how partnership could lead to meaningfully addressing the development challenges.
Opening the event, the UN Resident Coordinator, Zia Choudhury acknowledged the diversity of participants and highlighted that it offers collective wisdom to find new solutions. “14. This Development Partner Forum is designed for diverse people to meet. To discuss. To be Bold in those discussions. To form partnerships. To be stronger together”, he said.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director of Multilateral Affairs in the Ministry echoed that the Development partners forum is a great platform which brings together different stakeholders under one roof with the sole aim of seeking pragmatic solutions to our current development challenges. He added that Botswana as a Middle-Income country continues to face long standing development challenges such as, poverty, social and economic inequality, high unemployment, food insecurity, as well as the slow progress on the environment and climate change front. New challenges have also emerged such as high inflation and the socio-economic impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Botswana works closely with the United Nations Country Team to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Vision 2036 through the Botswana-United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. This allows for greater engagements and collaboration by key stakeholders on a diverse range of both current and emerging developmental issues thereby promoting coherence in National Development Planning”, Ambassador Zenene Sinombe stated.
The 2nd Annual DPF 2023 included parallel deep dive discussions on; i) How can Botswana’s social protection systems prevent the worse effects of poverty? Are the systems shock responsive enough to mitigate the effects of climate change? ii) How to maximize the diamond value chain for the benefit of Botswana. iii) A Botswana founded on human rights for all: Stocktaking, visioning and a roadmap. iv) Improving migration governance to help Botswana prosper and protect human rights for all.
The Forum came as the world marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a foundational blueprint for taking concrete actions to stand up for human rights and tackle pressing global issues today. Human rights are the foundation for human dignity, and the cornerstone of peaceful, inclusive, fair, equal and prosperous societies.
Also in 2023, world leaders have reviewed the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the United Nations General Assembly high-level week in September 2023. This marked the midpoint of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and calls for the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress towards the SDGs.
Achieving the SDG’s and the 2030 Agenda in Botswana will require a significant shift in how development is approached. This is in line with the President’s reset agenda and calls for mindset change.
Development Partners Forum in Pics
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12 September 2023
Halfway to the SDGs: Botswana youth call for action to turn the tide
The United Nations Office in Botswana convened various consultations during which youth, people with disabilities and various other groups offered inputs on what the country needs to do to fast track the implementation of the SDGs. The consultations came ahead of the 2023 SDG Summit and sought public opinion on how to accelerate attainment of the SDGs in Botswana.
The 2023 SDG Summit will be convened on 18-19 September 2023 in New York, during the United Nations General Assembly high-level week. The Summit seeks to assess the progress made in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development and its 17 SDGs. Only seven years remain until 2030 and this year is the halfway mark in the race towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Progress is indeed off-track, as the world grapples with reversing development progress due to climate change, conflicts, the direct health effects and indirect social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The SDG Summit, therefore, comes at an opportune time to reflect and review progress made thus far, with the imminent reality that the promise of achieving Agenda 2030 is at stake.
The UN held stakeholder consultations with government, youth and young people, people with disabilities to gather public opinion on what Botswana needs to do to fast track the implementation of the SDGs, identify high impact initiatives that can lead to tangible change, and to discuss key commitments which the country can present at the Summit. Over 200 young people and youth were reached through the consultations.
UN Resident Coordinator in Botswana, Mr. Zia Choudhury noted that the world is severely off track to achieve the SDGs by 2030 not moving forward. The SDGs were adopted in 2015. Since then, significant progress has been made in poverty eradication and combating unemployment. But Covid-19 hit the world, the geopolitical challenges and climate disasters.
“The SDG Summit will aim to put the SDGs back on course. These dialogues provide an opportunity for government, civil society, major groups, and other stakeholders to share concrete suggestions on how to get the SDGs back on track for everyone, everywhere, all at once,” Choudhury said.
The consultations suggested that the UN work with them and others to implement solutions such as:
Inclusive participation - need to give disadvantaged groups - including women and girls - a seat at the table. We know that for any policy to generate change, participation is a must to ensure that the lived experiences and recommendations of affected communities are heard.
Young people need to be invited to the decision-making table, where they can contribute valuable insights and innovations.
Building a human rights economy - recognize that economic growth on its own will not redress structural injustices or fulfil people’s human rights. Our economies must deliver better results for people and our planet.
Economic decisions, such as public budgets and investment choices, should aim to redress barriers to equality and be guided by human rights norms and standards.
Promoting sustainable environmental management and benefit from natural resources
Improve oversight bodies and hold leaders accountable.
Adhere to and respect human rights – raising awareness about human rights.
Working with the government to improve access and rights for people with disabilities and linking them with social protection tools.
Take bold ACTION for people and planet – climate action.
Make funding available for SDG actions.
Reduce inequalities by providing equal opportunity for all.
Increase access for young people and improve activism - young people also have the power to act and mobilise others. Youth activism is on the rise the world over, bolstered by broader connectivity and access to social media.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Member states to put forward national commitments speaking to SDG Acceleration at the Summit, as well as concrete actions to ensure an enabling environment for developing countries to participate in activities in the global economy and benefit from green and digital technologies, and the identification of transformative high impact initiatives.
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Press Release
02 May 2023
Botswana’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review
Botswana is one of 14 States to be reviewed by the UPR Working Group during its upcoming 43rd session from 1 to 12 May 2023. Botswana’s first, second and third UPR reviews took place in December 2008, January 2013 and January 2018, respectively.
The documents on which the reviews are based re: 1) national report - information provided by the State under review; 2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the Special Procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities; 3) information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups.
The three reports serving as the basis for the review of Botswana on 3 May can be found here.
Location: Room 20, Palais des Nations, Geneva
Time and date: 9:00 – 12:30, Wednesday, 3 May 2023 (Geneva time, GMT +2 hours)
The UPR is a unique process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN member States have been reviewed thrice within the first, second and third UPR cycles. During the fourth UPR cycle, States are again expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations posed during their previous reviews which they committed to follow up on and highlight recent human rights developments in the country.
The delegation of Botswana will be led by Mr. Machana Ronald SHAMUKUNI, Minister of Justice.
The three country representatives serving as rapporteurs (“troika”) for the review of Botswana are South Africa, Qatar, and Bolivia (Plurinational State of).
The webcast of the session will be at https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1u/k1uyawzk9o
The list of speakers and all available statements to be delivered during the review of Botswana will be posted on the UPR Extranet.
The UPR Working Group is scheduled to adopt the recommendations made to Botswana at 15:30 on Friday, 5 May 2023. The State under review may wish to express its positions on recommendations posed to it during its review.
// ENDS //
For more information and media requests, please contact Pascal Sim, HRC Media Officer, at simp@un.org and David Díaz Martín, HRC Public Information Officer, at david.diazmartin@un.org
To learn more about the Universal Periodic Review, visit https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/upr-main
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Press Release
30 November 2021
The UN in Botswana celebrates Court of Appeal judgement to decriminalize consensual sex between same sex partners
This is indeed a clear message that justice and state laws should protect everyone, regardless of who they are and whom they love. We congratulate the Court of Appeal for ruling against discriminatory legal provisions that infringe upon the rights of LGBTQI+ persons to privacy, personal freedom, dignity, and to be treated equally and without discrimination of their human rights. This represents another great step for LGBTQI+ human rights in Botswana and is yet another example of the transformative power of civil society organizations and movements, and of the results that strong multi-stakeholders’ partnerships can bring.
While celebrating the achievement, let us also bear in mind the need to keep up the good work and to increase efforts to raise awareness about human rights and to promote continued support for a more favourable legal, political, institutional, and social context for LGBTQI+ communities and for everyone to participate and prosper in dignity and equality, in line with human rights treaty bodies recommendations to Botswana, such as the UPR, the ICCPR, the CEDAW and others.
The UN believes in a world where everyone’s human rights are respected and where every human being deserves to love and to be loved, without fear of discrimination.
We are proud partners with Botswana’s active and vibrant civil society organizations. The UN in Botswana stands ready to continue to provide support to ensure no one is left behind.
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Press Release
31 March 2021
Botswana receives its first shipment of the COVID-19 Vaccine from COVAX
The delivery of the first 24 000 doses of the AstraZeneca South Korea COVID-19 Vaccine licensed to SKBioscience in Korea, is part of the largest, most complex global roll-out of vaccines in history through the COVAX Facility which plans to deliver at least 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of this year. This is an unprecedented global effort to make sure all citizens have access to vaccines.
“UNICEF is proud to support the Government of Botswana in this vital work. Availability of vaccines will go a long way in protecting the lives of Batswana from the COVD-19 scourge. Each step on this journey brings us further along the path to recovery for Batswana children and their families affected by COVID-19 and importantly the start of the vaccination roll-out brings immense hope for the population of Botswana.” Joan Matji, UNICEF Representative for Botswana.
The shipment received today is the first tranche of many that will be allocated to Botswana in the coming months through the COVAX Facility. The facility is working to accelerate the development of and access to COVID-19 vaccines. It is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) working in partnership with UNICEF as well as the World Bank, manufacturers, civil society organizations and others.
“WHO and the COVAX partners are happy to support the Government of Botswana in combating COVID-19. These vaccines will complement the other public health measures including wearing of masks, handwashing and social distancing. Botswana has done a tremendous job in their efforts to control the disease and roll out vaccination. We commend their efforts and reaffirm our commitment to support them further.” WHO Representative, Dr Josephine Namboze.
To facilitate vaccinating against the COVID-19 scourge, the Ministry has launched an on-line COVID-19 vaccination self-registration portal for eligible vaccine beneficiaries to register. The on-line self-registration will assist in identifying the eligible vaccine beneficiaries as well as help plan for the distribution of vaccine. “Once registered, the Ministry of Health and Wellness will communicate with the enrolled individuals about vaccination program, eligibility, place of vaccination, follow-up and appointments” Director, Health Services, Dr. Malebogo Kebabonye.
The website address or URL for the COVID-19 Vaccination self-registration is https://dhis2sms.gov.bw/vaccine/
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Press Release
09 February 2021
The UN urges the Government of Botswana to abolish the capital punishment
Following the executions of Mr. Wedu Mosalagae (33) and Mr. Kutlo Setima (29) which took place on 8 February 2021, the United Nations in Botswana calls on the Government of Botswana to stop the use of capital punishment and impose an immediate moratorium on executions with a view to its abolition. There is a clear global trend towards abolition including from States with a variety of legal systems, traditions, cultures, and religions. At the end of last year, 123 states voted in favour of the General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. The United Nations in Botswana strongly urges the Government of Botswana to put an end to further executions.
As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Human Rights Committee recommended that Botswana should move towards the abolition of the death penalty in accordance with article 6 of the Covenant.
During Botswana’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2018, recommendations were made urging Botswana to abolish the death penalty including taking active steps to ensure that public consultations on the abolition of the death penalty are held. We call on the Government of Botswana to engage in a national dialogue on this issues on the basis of a full presentation of all aspects of the matter including the enjoyment of the right to life with a view to attain its abolition and ratification of the Second Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The UN stands ready to support any discussions leading towards abolition of death penalty.
The United Nations advocates for a moratorium on the death penalty and ultimately an abolition worldwide in line with the fundamental right to life, the absence of evidence that the death penalty provides an effective deterrent, and the irrevocable nature of the punishment. The best deterrents for serious crimes lie in ensuring respect for the rule of law and due process; ensuring that there is no impunity, irrespective of who commits a crime and that those suspected of such crimes are promptly and properly investigated and prosecuted; and ensuring that the authorities engage closely with the communities affected by the crime.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres has underscored that “the death penalty has no place in the 21st century.”
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