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Thursday 21 January 2010

SWAZILAND FREEDOM VIGIL IN UK

Exiled Swazis and supporters are to hold a weekly vigil outside the Swaziland High Commission in London in protest against human rights abuses in the kingdom ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

They want the Commonwealth to suspend Swaziland until there is democracy and an end to human rights abuses in the kingdom.

The first Vigil is to take place at the Kingdom of Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB, on Saturday 30 January 2010 from 10 am – 1pm.

Organizers say the vigils ‘will continue until there democracy and respect for human rights in Swaziland’.

A state of emergency has been in force for 35 years. Political parties are banned, activists are imprisoned, and the judiciary, media and other bodies are controlled by the monarch. Women, in particular, suffer gross violation of their human rights. Seventy per cent of the population lives on less than $1 a day and more than 1 in 4 Swazis are living with HIV / AIDS.

Organizers are collecting two petitions:


A petition to the British government

Exiled Swazis and supporters urge you to put pressure on the absolute monarch King Mswati III to allow political freedom, freedom of speech, the rule of law, respect for women and affordable AIDS drugs in Swaziland.


A petition to the Commonwealth

Exiled Swazis and supporters urge you to suspend Swaziland from the Commonwealth until there is democracy and an end to human rights abuses in Swaziland.

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