Action
for Southern Africa (ACTSA) has called on the international community to apply
serious pressure on the Government of Swaziland so that it respects human
rights and develops a genuinely democratic constitution.
The absolute monarch King
Mswati III is due to become the chairperson of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) in August 2016 while his government continues to violate human
rights with impunity. In a report published on
Wednesday (29 June 2016), ACTSA warned that Swaziland might plunge
into a protracted crisis unless African governments, as well as bilateral and
multilateral donors, vigorously and consistently engage with the Government of
Swaziland so that it genuinely protects and serves all of its citizens.
In a statement,
ACTSA said, ‘The report, Swaziland’s Downward Spiral, outlines how the current Constitution of
Swaziland fails to respect democratic norms, and many laws undermine basic
freedoms, especially those of women. The country’s largest opposition party,
the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), is banned.
‘Trade unions and other
civil society organisations seeking to promote human rights and democracy
endure systematic oppression. As a result of mismanagement and corruption, the
economy is in a dire state, with 63 percent of the population living below the
poverty line, and wealth concentrated in the hands of the royal family and a
tiny elite close to the King.’
The statement continued, ‘The
report argues that the international community has not sufficiently engaged
with the denial of human rights and with authoritarianism in Swaziland. Some,
especially those within the country, interpret this as condoning the actions of
the King and his government. Ultimately, real and lasting change will only come
about if the King enters into meaningful dialogue with his political opponents,
as well as with all sections of civil society. Internal pressure for reform can
and must be bolstered by significant external pressure.’
The report is the latest in
a long line of reports published over the past two months highlighting human
rights abuses in the kingdom where King Mswati III rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s
last absolute monarch.
The United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group
on the Universal Periodic Review of Swaziland met in May 2016 and received
reports from a large number of organisations within Swaziland and outside
calling on the Swazi regime to improve its human rights record.
Among them, The Swaziland Coalition of
Concerned Civic Organisations (SCCCO) reported, people were being shot and killed in Swaziland
because they were suspected of poaching and game rangers were immune from
prosecution.
Human
Rights Watch reported that Swaziland had not kept its promise made in 2011
to change laws in the kingdom relating to freedom of association and assembly
so they met international standards.
A joint
report from Swaziland Multi-Media Community Network, Swaziland Concerned
Church Leaders, Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organisations and Constituent
Assembly – Swaziland stated Swazi police tortured a 15-year-old boy after his
mother had reported him for stealing E85 (US$6).
A joint
report from SOS-Swaziland, Super Buddies, Prison Fellowship and Luvatsi –
Swaziland Youth Empowerment Organisation, stated children as young as 11 years
old were being incarcerated in juvenile correction facilities in Swaziland for
up to 10 years, even though they had committed no crimes.
Rock of Hope, which campaigns for LGBTI equality in
Swaziland, reported
that laws, social stigma and prejudice prevented LGBTI organisations from
operating freely.
See also
SWAZI
LGBTI PEOPLE LIVE IN FEAR
INNOCENT
BOY, 11, LOCKED UP FOR 10 YEARS
BOY,
15, AMONG POLICE TORURE VICTIMS
SWAZILAND
FAILS ON FREEDOM PROMISE
NO
AMNESTY IN ‘TERROR’ CASES
GAME
RANGERS ‘SHOOT TO KILL’
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