Botswana has taken a significant step in its progress towards having a formally recognised National Human Rights Institution, with the passage by its Parliament of a law which would confer a human rights mandate onto the Office of the Ombudsman. The bill now awaits assent from the country’s President before it can be implemented – it is hoped that this will be granted by April 2022.

The new law formalises a decision announced by the Botswanan Government in 2014 to amend the Ombudsman Act of 1995 to confer responsibility for human rights on the Ombudsman, alongside its existing responsibility for investigation maladministration in public service. The Botswana Office of the Ombudsman is already a CFNHRI member.