National Human Rights Commission Annual Human Rights Symposium focuses on reconciliation and business responsibility

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) held its annual Human Rights Symposium on Saturday 1st August 2026, at Middlesex University Mauritius in Flic en Flac, under the theme ‘Reconciliation, and Business and Human Rights’.

Organised in partnership with Middlesex University Mauritius, the Symposium brought together policymakers, institutional representatives, academics, trade union members, students, and civil society representatives to discuss the links between human rights protection, economic activities, historical accountability, and proposed reforms to the NHRC legislative framework.

The Attorney General, Mr Gavin Patrick Cyril Glover; the Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Hambyrajen Narsinghen; the Chairperson of the NHRC, Me Satyajit Boolell; the Chief of the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Unit at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Cynthia Radert; the Director of Middlesex University Mauritius, Professor Mari Jansen Van Rensburg; as well as other personalities were present.

In his keynote address, the Attorney General talked about historical reparations, while underlining that reconciliation required acknowledging the injustices of the past, and that safeguarding fundamental rights was the best protection. Referring to the decolonisation of the Chagos Archipelago as a significant example of reparative justice, he stressed that the rights and dignity of the Chagossian people must remain central to the process.

The Attorney General also reaffirmed Government’s commitment to strengthening human rights. He thus announced that the NHRC Bill 2026 had been finalised and would replace the 1998 framework to enhance the Commission’s independence and effectiveness in line with the Paris Principles. “The reforms,” he noted, “are important for Mauritius to maintain the NHRC’s A Status accreditation with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) during its 2027 review.”

Moreover, Mr Glover urged students, future leaders, entrepreneurs, and citizens to integrate respect for human rights into their everyday decisions and to ensure that economic progress was built on dignity, fairness, and respect for human rights.

For his part, the Chairperson of the NHRC emphasised that economic development and human rights must progress together. He called on businesses to uphold responsible practices through fair wages, safe workplaces, and protection against forced labour, while advocating stronger safeguards for migrant workers.

Furthermore, Me Boolell stressed that reconciliation required Mauritius to address the legacies of slavery and indentured labour through truth, education, memory preservation, and institutional reform. On that score, he appealed to government, businesses, universities, civil society, and every Mauritian to share responsibility for advancing and protecting human rights.

As for Ms Cynthia Radert, she highlighted the importance of corporate responsibility for human rights, urging businesses to exercise due diligence in addressing inequality and global challenges. She stressed that historical reparations required the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including the private sector, through recognition, remembrance, and corrective action. She also acknowledged Mauritius’ efforts to preserve the memory of slavery while noting that some Truth and Justice Commission recommendations, particularly on land issues, remained outstanding.

The Director of Middlesex University Mauritius underscored the vital role of academic institutions in fostering a culture rooted in dignity, justice, inclusion and accountability. She highlighted the importance of collaboration and sustained engagement in advancing knowledge, dialogue, and human rights. Expressing optimism about the panel discussion, Professor Van Rensburg said it would encourage practical action toward building a more just and equitable society while strengthening the collective commitment to advancing human rights in Mauritius.

03 August 2026

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Topics: Justice

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