Source: Amnesty International –
Responding to reports that Lesotho Defence Forces (LDF) soldiers tortured at least four people and killed at least two others during the ongoing Operation Hard Fist to confiscate illegal firearms from gang members, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Khanyo Farise, said:
“These incidents are the latest in a series of grave allegations about the conduct of LDF soldiers. Torturing and unlawfully killing people can never be justified, even in the context of a crackdown on gangs.
“Lesotho’s authorities must urgently investigate all incidents of torture and unlawful killings by the army, bring to justice anyone suspected to be responsible in fair trials and adequately compensate the victims and their families.
These incidents are the latest in a series of grave allegations about the conduct of LDF soldiers.
Khanyo Farise, Amnesty International Deputy Director for East and Southern Africa
“Lesotho’s Prime Minister must publicly condemn cases of torture, arbitrary detention and unlawful killings by the army and affirm his commitment to ending alleged army abuses.”