Water For Justice

Constitutional Democracy

The Democracy and Human Rights Programme of the Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) held a workshop on the Civil Society Workshop on Constitutional Democracy on Tuesday 27th - 28th October, 2009 at Ka Pitseng, Teyateyaneng.

The purpose of the workshop is to equip participants with skills on the Lesotho Constitution and its importance in a democratic society. It has been realized that there are deficiencies in the Constitution that bring constitutionalism of the country to its knees. The workshop will also help participants understand the relations between state organs as contemplated in the country's Constitution. Participants will identify gaps in the Constitution and propose necessary amendments. At the end of the workshop, participants are expected to come up with a plan that will be used by TRC in its advocacy work in advancing constitutionalism in Lesotho .

Among other things, the role of the legislature, judiciary and the executive will be observed. Fundamental rights and freedoms contemplated in the country's Constitution will form part of the discussions at the workshop.

Lesotho adopted its Constitution in 1993 when democratic rule was entrenched in the country, a year that the Basutoland Congress Party (BCP) got into power. The Constitution is the supreme law of the country. Any law that is inconsistent with the Constitution is null and void. The Constitution is also a source of power and legitimacy for all major governance actors. It provides checks and balances within the entire range of governance.