The following is a media statement from the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) following the police action on Saturday that saw a meeting to launch the SDC cancelled after police illegally held SDC leaders.
Another Attack on the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC)!
Press Release - 19 April 2010
The weekend actions of the royal Swazi police is a further demonstration that freedom of assembly and expression in Swaziland does not exist. These actions are a further indictment of the widely held myth that Swaziland is a peaceful, democratic and caring society ruled by a benevolent royal family.
Despite a court order obtained by the Swaziland chapter of the SDC granting them permission to continue with the public launch of the Campaign inside Swaziland, the royal police clamped down; arresting and detaining two of the coordinators of the Campaign, raiding the home of a third member of the Campaign coordinating team preventing him from attending the launch, preventing the attendance of the PUDEMO President, Cde Mario Masuku, and frightening off supporters of the Campaign. This action follows the royal police clampdown of the 12th April commemorations which marked the 37th anniversary of the banning of political parties in Swaziland.
The SDC condemns the actions of the Swazi regime that prevented the peaceful launch of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign’s Swazi chapter.
We also commend our comrades efforts inside Swaziland. We will continue to support your preparedness to unite and challenge the repression and the wastefulness of the royal elite through the Swaziland Democracy Campaign!
We will not allow a repressive regime to frustrate us in our struggle for liberation, justice and democracy in Swaziland! We will continue to mount pressure on all fronts until Swaziland is free!
An urgent joint meeting of both chapters of the SDC is being planned to chart out a way forward.
Aluta continua!
Phambile Swaziland Democracy Campaign!
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