President Duma Boko’s government will face its first major United Nations human rights test since its historic election victory in October 2024, when Botswana’s human rights record comes under scrutiny during the country’s next appearance
TEFO PHEAGE
President Duma Boko’s Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government is expected to face its first United Nations human rights review since taking power in October 2024 when Botswana appears before the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism in May 2028.
The fifth review of Botswana’s record, scheduled for the 57th session of the UPR Working Group in Geneva, Switzerland, will assess the country’s human rights obligations and progress on recommendations from its previous examination, according to UPR Info.
Inherited Commitments
Botswana last underwent a UPR assessment on 3 May 2023, when former President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) administration was in office.
The country received 296 recommendations from 105 delegations. The government supported 206, partially supported five and noted 85 without committing to implement them.
The recommendations addressed freedom of expression, media independence, capital punishment, gender-based violence, discrimination, children’s rights and the protection of vulnerable groups. Responsibility for carrying those commitments forward now rests with the UDC.
Reform Promises
The review will provide a measure of progress on the UDC’s pledges to produce a new people-centred Constitution, strengthen democratic institutions and checks on power, improve accountability and address longstanding inequalities.
Amnesty International’s 2025 assessment raised concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, persistent gender-based violence and Botswana’s continued retention of the death penalty.
The organisation also warned that the Digital Services Act and Cybersecurity Act, enacted in 2025, could weaken privacy and freedom of expression without adequate independent safeguards.
Death Penalty
Capital punishment is likely to remain contentious. No executions have been carried out under the UDC administration, but the death penalty remains on Botswana’s statute books despite repeated international calls for abolition.
Several studies of public attitudes suggest that a significant proportion of Batswana support retaining capital punishment.
Press Freedom
Media freedom is another potential flashpoint. On 22 October 2026, the government announced plans to seek international technical cooperation for media reforms, with a proposed Media Bill expected before Parliament during its November sitting.
Sections of the media fraternity have criticised what they describe as sustained attacks on the press by the President, heightening scrutiny of the administration’s reform agenda.
Submission Timetable
The UPR process allows civil society organisations and independent human rights institutions to submit their own assessments alongside the government’s account.
The provisional timetable identifies November 2027 for stakeholder submissions and February 2028 for Botswana’s national report, ahead of the review in May.