MPs challenged to resist anti-rights pushback

Parliamentarians across Southern Africa have been challenged to resist growing attempts to undermine human rights protections, narrow civic space and weaken democratic institutions, with calls for laws and political decisions that safeguard the dignity and rights of everyone, particularly vulnerable and marginalised groups.

The challenge was issued during a three-day parliamentary workshop on constitutionalism, the rule of law and human rights in Eswatini, where lawmakers were urged to translate constitutional principles and regional human rights commitments into practical protections for citizens.

Addressing a cocktail reception on the sidelines of the workshop recently, United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim in Eswatini Henrik Franklin warned that political and legal developments across the continent reflected both progress in human rights protection and a worrying pushback against some of the gains made.

He cited efforts to weaken protections for LGBTQI+ people, gender minorities and other groups vulnerable to discrimination, arguing that parliamentarians had a responsibility to ensure political change advanced justice and equal protection rather than exclusion.

“The decisions made in legislative chambers shape the lives of millions and can either strengthen equal protection, dignity and inclusion, or weaken them,” Franklin said.

He urged lawmakers and other decision-makers to work with civil society, communities and development partners to counter discrimination, violence and exclusion.

Franklin pointed to Botswana's repeal in 2026 of colonial-era Penal Code provisions criminalising consensual same-sex relations, following court rulings in 2019 and 2021, as an example of legal reform aligned with constitutional principles of dignity, liberty, privacy and non-discrimination.

Caution

However, he cautioned that legislative changes alone were insufficient to eliminate stigma, discrimination and fear.

Progress, he said, must also be reflected in institutional practices, public attitudes and access to essential services and protection from violence.

“These political and legal shifts are not abstract debates. They affect real people, real families, and real lives,” he said.

Franklin warned that discrimination could manifest in people being denied access to healthcare, education and employment, while others faced rejection, harassment and violence because of their identities or circumstances.

He called on parliamentarians, governments, civil society organisations, national human rights institutions, faith and traditional leaders, young people and development partners to work collectively to safeguard fundamental rights.

Crucially, he said, those most affected by discrimination must be included in decisions concerning their lives.

“Their voices must be heard, their agency respected, and their safety and dignity safeguarded in every action we take,” he said.

Franklin also urged UN agencies to coordinate their interventions through the One UN approach, sharing evidence and strengthening partnerships with civil society and affected communities.

He challenged workshop participants to consider their individual responsibility in advancing human rights, particularly for people belonging to minority groups.

Parliamentary responsibility

In remarks delivered on her behalf, SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) Secretary General Boemo Sekgoma said parliaments had a responsibility to defend constitutional principles through their legislative, oversight, budgetary and representative functions.

She urged parliamentarians to provide careful, principled and informed leadership at a time when organised narratives were increasingly challenging human rights protections, narrowing civic space and eroding confidence in democratic institutions.

Sekgoma said lawmakers must listen to diverse experiences, interrogate evidence and carefully assess how legislation and public policies affect different communities.

She described the regional dialogue on countering anti-rights pushback as particularly important, given the challenges facing democratic institutions and human rights protections in the region and beyond.

She also acknowledged the collaboration between UNDP and other partners in convening the workshop, saying it reflected a shared commitment to strengthening democratic institutions that protect the rights, dignity and participation of everyone.

Sekgoma highlighted the SADC PF's efforts to strengthen parliamentary engagement on human rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and the protection of key populations.

Among these initiatives are the SADC Model Law on HIV and AIDS in Southern Africa and the Minimum Standards for the Protection of the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Key Populations in the SADC Region.

These initiatives are complemented by parliamentary dialogue, capacity-building and sensitisation programmes.

“These efforts are grounded in a simple principle: human rights belong to all people,” Sekgoma said.

She added that protecting these rights strengthened societies, democratic institutions and the region's commitment to inclusive development.

From commitments to action

Sekgoma reaffirmed the Forum's commitment to working with parliamentarians, civil society organisations, human rights institutions and other like-minded partners to advance human rights protections.

However, she emphasised that national parliaments remained central to translating regional commitments into enforceable laws, policies and practical interventions.

She encouraged participants to exchange national experiences, interrogate different perspectives and identify practical parliamentary responses to emerging challenges to constitutionalism and human rights.

Ultimately, she said, the value of the three-day engagement would be measured not by the discussions themselves, but by how effectively they informed parliamentary work and translated into tangible protections for people's rights.

*Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at the SADC Parliamentary Forum.