The rule of law, access
to effective remedies and protection of human rights in Swaziland continued to
deteriorate in the past year as a consequence of the further undermining of
judicial independence, Amnesty International said in its annual report.
‘Activists were also
detained and charged in several separate trials involving charges under the
Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA) and the Sedition and Subversive Activities
Act,’ Amnesty stated.
The report published
on Tuesday (24 February 2015) said the kingdom, ruled by King Mswati III,
sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, revived a 2009 sedition charge
against Thulani Maseko. His trial on this charge was scheduled to be heard in
2015. A challenge to the constitutionality of the Sedition and Subversive
Activities Act, as well as the STA, was also pending in 2015.
Amnesty reported, ‘The challenge was
brought by veteran activist and leader of the opposition People’s United
Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), Mario Masuku, and eight others facing charges
under both laws in three separate trials. The application was due to be heard
in the High Court in March 2015.’
The trial of Mario Masuku
and youth leader Maxwell Dlamini was due to begin in February 2015. They were
charged with sedition and remanded in custody in connection with slogans they
allegedly shouted at a 2014 May Day rally.
Amnesty reported, ‘There
was considerable concern at Mario Masuku’s deteriorating health after he was
remanded into custody. At the end of October there was a renewed attempt to
secure his and Maxwell Dlamini’s release on bail. On 31 October the High Court
judge scheduled to hear the application was withdrawn. The application was
heard and rejected in November by Judge Mpendulo Simelane.’
Seven members of PUDEMO,
which is banned under the STA, were also facing trial at the end of the year on
charges under the STA following their arrest at the High Court during the trial
of Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu in April, who were later jailed for contempt of court
for writing and publishing articles in the Nation
magazine critical of the Swazi judiciary.
See also
LEGAL CHALLENGE TO SWAZI TERROR LAW
AMNESTY ATTACKS SWAZI JUSTICE
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