When Botswana underwent what should have been a routine UN process in May this year in Geneva, Switzerland, something unusual happened.
At the 2023 Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, six western Europe nations mysteriously raised questions about whether the 2024 general election will be free and fair. They also raised concerns about civil and political rights, including freedom of expression and the press – which are crucial for free and fair elections. A representative of the host country, Switzerland, called on Botswana to “guarantee freedom of the media and freedom of expression and information and take measures to protect media professionals against attacks, harassment and intimidation, especially as the 2024 election approaches.”
There's more to this story
But to keep reading, we need you to subscribe.
Investigative journalism is an indispensable part of a healthy society, but it's also expensive to produce. We are reliant on subscriptions to fund our work, and while you can enjoy most of our stories for free, a small number of premium features are reserved for subscribers.
You can subscribe for one week, a month or a full year - the choice is yours.
Save 77% on an annual subscription. Click here to find out how.
Existing subscribers can log in to keep reading here.
