Human Rights Watch calls on Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam to prioritize human rights in all policies during his new term. Key recommendations include protecting Chagossian rights, promoting LGBT rights, ensuring freedom of expression, and enhancing inclusive education for children with disabilities. Adhering to these principles would align ongoing efforts with both domestic and international legal obligations.
Mauritius’ Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam is urged to prioritize human rights across all policy decisions during his new term, as recommended by Human Rights Watch. Following his election victory on November 10, 2024, Ramgoolam should ensure the protection and promotion of human rights domestically and internationally.
An essential focus should be on the rights of the Chagossian people amidst ongoing negotiations with the UK government. Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that prioritizing the Chagossian’s rights is imperative, considering their historical displacement for military purposes by the UK government, which has led to persistent poverty and discrimination.
Human Rights Watch advocates that the Mauritian government, along with the UK and US, must uphold the Chagossians’ unconditional right to return to their home islands and seek reparations. This includes financial compensation and reconstruction efforts to facilitate their resettlement.
The new government is also encouraged to protect various rights, including privacy, freedom of expression, assembly, and access to information. Recently, leaked audio recordings suggested state-sanctioned surveillance, and a temporary suspension of social media access before the elections infringed upon these rights. There is a call for the government to cease imposing blanket restrictions on the internet and social media.
Human Rights Watch further insists on strengthening protections against discrimination for LGBT individuals, following progressive advancements like the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against “sodomy” laws. Despite these gains, the lack of legal recognition for same-sex relationships and prevalent discrimination remain pressing issues.
To address these challenges, comprehensive laws are needed to safeguard LGBT rights. Initiatives for public education campaigns are also recommended to combat stigma and raise awareness about sexual and gender diversity.
Moreover, promoting inclusive education for children with disabilities is vital. Mauritius’ recent promise of three years of free pre-primary education positions it as a leader in free education, yet children with disabilities still face significant barriers to integration.
Government reforms should focus on a human rights-based approach to ensure quality inclusive education. This entails creating awareness campaigns against disability discrimination, adequately training educational professionals, and providing accessible materials in various formats to accommodate all learners.
In conclusion, Human Rights Watch strongly urges Prime Minister Ramgoolam’s new government to prioritize human rights in its policies and decisions. Key areas of focus include protecting the rights of the Chagossian people, enhancing LGBT rights, ensuring freedom of expression and assembly, and promoting inclusive education for children with disabilities. Implementing these recommendations would significantly contribute to advancing human rights in Mauritius and fulfill the government’s obligations both domestically and internationally.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
