GLOBAL SUPPORT FOR SWAZI STUDENTS

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK and the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) are the latest international organisations to condemn the abduction of student leaders by the Swaziland state police.

The TUC has protested to the Swaziland High Commission in London, at the arrest of a student journalist who was later charged with being a terrorist.

In a letter to the High Commissioner, copied to the UK Foreign Secretary, the TUC says, ‘The TUC is aware of the current student unrest in your country which stems from the lack of adequate and appropriate educational facilities for university students in line with their aspirations.

‘Moreover, it is symptomatic of the absence of meaningful dialogue on political reforms and of the failure of the authorities to properly address the concerns of the students expressed through their long-standing demands.

‘We urge you to pass on to your Government our deep concern over the safety and welfare of the students concerned and use your influence with the authorities to ensure that the student leaders are released without delay.’

ZINASU also condemned the abduction in a statement. ‘The whereabouts of the student leaders are still unknown and ZINASU castigates the abuse of state machinery by ruling elites in Africa in general who continue to suppress the students’ rights to freedom of expression and association to protect their own selfish political interests, it said.