Swazi police arrested all
members of an international panel of experts who were due to meet today (6
September 2013) to debate the role of trade unions in Swaziland.
They raided the George Hotel
in Manzini where they were staying at 2am after earlier trailing them from the
airport near Matsapha.
The panelists were due to take
evidence and then present their findings after the hearing. They were expected
to highlight the role and responsibility of trade unions and civil society in
fighting against the violation of fundamental rights in Swaziland.
The South African trade union
federation COSATU reported that the panel was to consist of Alec Muchadehama
(human rights lawyer and activist from Zimbabwe), Paul Verryn (ordained
minister of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, anti-Apartheid activist
and advocate for refugees in South Africa) and Nomthetho Simelane (former
Lecturer in Political Science, University of Swaziland).
It was to be chaired by Jay
Naidoo, founding General Secretary of COSATU and former Minister of
Communications for South Africa.
COSATU reported, ‘Representatives
from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) were questioned and
subsequently tailed from the airport to the George Hotel in Manzini, where the
panel was to meet. By 2am the place was buzzing with activity with police all
over the hotel; they even asked staff about the panellists, all of whom were
then arrested.’
The arrests followed the
detention earlier yesterday (5 September 2013) of Vincent
Ncongwane, Secretary General of the Swaziland labour federation TUCOSWA. He was
taken by police from his office and placed under house arrest to prevent him
taking part in a pro-democracy march in Mbabane, the Swazi capital.
The march
and the panel meeting were both parts of a Global Week of Action for
Democracy in Swaziland that is presently taking place.
See also
DEMOCRACY MARCH: LEADER ARRESTED
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