Swaziland still ‘not free,’ human rights group Freedom House reports

Freedom House, the global group that works to defend human rights and promote democratic change, has once again declared that Swaziland (eSwatini) is ‘not free’.

In its annual report on human rights in the kingdom ruled by absolute monarch King Mswati III, Freedom House scored Swaziland 19 out of 100 points. This was the same score it gave for 2020.

Freedom House awarded Swaziland one point out of 40 for ‘political rights’ and 18 out of 60 for ‘civil liberties’ in its 2021 Freedom in the World report.

It will release a full report on human rights in Swaziland at a later date.

In an overview of the kingdom, Freedom House reported, ‘The king exercises ultimate authority over all branches of the national government and effectively controls local governance through his influence over traditional chiefs. Political dissent and civic and labor activism are subject to harsh punishment under sedition and other laws. Additional human rights problems include impunity for security forces and discrimination against women and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people.’

It added, ‘Freedom in the World assesses the real-world rights and freedoms enjoyed by individuals, rather than governments or government performance per se.’

Last month (February 2021), Human  Rights Watch in its annual review of Swaziland said the kingdom was gripped by restrictions in freedoms of assembly and association.

In 2020, Reporters Without Borders ranked Swaziland 141 out of 180 countries on media freedom, based partly on constraints that journalists faced in working freely under the absolute monarchy, and because courts were not permitted to prosecute representatives of the monarchy.  

In June 2020, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) published results of an annual survey indicating that Swaziland had one of the worst workers’ rights records in the world.

 

See also

No let-up in restrictions of freedom of association and assembly in Swaziland: Human Rights Watch

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/01/no-let-up-in-restrictions-of-freedom-of.html

 

Swaziland gripped by human rights abuses, annual report states

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2021/02/swaziland-gripped-by-human-rights.html

Swaziland gripped by human rights abuses, annual report states

Restrictions on freedom of assembly and association grip Swaziland (eSwatini), according to the latest annual report from Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Reviewing the year 2020, the group said, ‘On October 20, the eSwatini High Court heard a challenge from eSwatini Sexual and Gender Minorities (ESGM) against the eSwatini Registrar of Companies’ refusal to register ESGM as a company. 

ESGM is a human rights community-based advocacy organization working to advance the protection of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in the kingdom of Eswatini. The registrar argued that ESGM could not be registered as a company because “ESGM’s objectives were unlawful because same-sex sexual acts are illegal in the country.” 

‘ESGM responded by arguing that eSwatini’s constitutional rights apply to everyone, that everyone in the kingdom has a right to their dignity, and that freedom to associate should not be denied based on arbitrary grounds, including one’s sexual orientation. At time of writing, the court had yet to issue its ruling.’

King Mswati III continues to rule as an absolute monarch and political parties remain banned from taking part in elections and he has held supreme executive power over parliament and the judiciary since the1973 State of Emergency decree.

HRW reported, ‘The country’s courts have upheld the legality of the decree despite the fact that the 2005 constitution provides for three separate organs of state—the executive, legislature and judiciary. The prime minister theoretically holds executive authority, but in reality, the king exercises supreme executive power and controls the judiciary. The 2005 constitution provides for equality before the law while simultaneously elevating the king above the law.  

In 2020, Reporters Without Borders ranked eSwatini 141 out of 180 countries on media freedom, based partly on constraints that journalists face in working freely under the absolute monarchy, and because courts are not permitted to prosecute representatives of the monarchy.  

In June 2020, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) published results of an annual survey indicating that Swaziland has one of the worst workers’ rights records in the world. Swaziland scored five on the Global Rights Index—five being worst on the scale—capturing its failure to respect workers’ rights and the fact that Swazi workers are exposed to repression and unfair labour practices. According to the ITUC, countries with the five rating provide no guarantees for rights and are among the worst countries in the world in which to work.   

See also

No let-up in restrictions of freedom of association and assembly in Swaziland: Human Rights Watch

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2020/01/no-let-up-in-restrictions-of-freedom-of.html

 

Swaziland police fire gunshots and shoot student with rubber bullet as campus protests continue

Police in Swaziland (eSwatini) fired live ammunition and shot a university student with a rubber bullet as class boycotts entered their second day.

It was the latest police shooting during legal protests in the kingdom ruled by absolute monarch King Mswati III.

Students across the kingdom are angry that the government failed to keep its promise to pay them their allowances for books, accommodation and other equipment.

The shooting happened at the Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) in Manzini.

Armed police patrolled the campus after students boycotted classes and set up a roadblock and started fires near the university.

The SANU administration ordered the university to be closed indefinitely and told students to vacate the premises immediately.

That was when police moved in, the Times of eSwatini reported. It quoted sources saying, ‘That is where all hell broke loose and the students clashed with the law enforcers who were trying to drive them out of the institution.’

It added students lit a fire on a public road. ‘As a result of the students’ behaviour, the police fired several warning shots in the air and also used rubber bullets to disperse the scholars, who ran helter-skelter.’

Phephile Sifundza, aged 20, a student, was shot in the leg.

The Swazi Observer reported, ‘[Sifundza] said she was not among the protesting students but was crossing the road at the traffic lights towards Manzini City. She said she was in the company of her friend when she heard gunshots.’

It quoted her saying, ‘In a moment, I was on the ground and I realised that I was hurt. I tried to call out for help but everyone was running around.’ When the chaos died down her colleagues took her to hospital.

On Thursday (31 October 2019) workers marched in protest against police brutality and delivered petitions to the Ministry of Public Service, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Ministry of Education and Training and the police headquarters in the Swazi capital, Mbabane.

Police recently used live ammunition, rubber bullets, teargas and water cannon against public service workers engaged in legal protests. More than 30 people were injured by police.

Last month (October 2019) the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) condemned police brutality. ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said in a statement, ‘Respect for workers’ rights, good faith dialogue and a government that responds to people’s needs and concerns – just like any other country, this is what eSwatini needs, not state violence against the people. eSwatini’s King Mswati pledged to us earlier this year to build these bridges, yet now we are seeing the government pulling all stops to undermine them.’

See also

Swaziland students boycott classes as Govt. breaks promise to pay allowances

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/11/swaziland-students-boycott-classes-as.html

 

Swaziland police brutality under attack from international workers’ group

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/10/swaziland-police-brutality-under-attack.html

 

Swaziland workers to march and petition against police brutality

https://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2019/10/swaziland-workers-to-march-and-petition.html

TEXTILE WORKERS WANT MINIMUM WAGE

Textile workers in Swaziland are campaigning for a basic minimum wage and for many of them that would mean doubling their income.

Amalgamated Trade Union of Swaziland (ATUSWA) members want a wage of at least E3,000 (about US$250) per month. At present, it is reported most textile workers earn between E1,300 and E1,500 per month.

They are supported by the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA).

Textile workers are among the most exploited in Swaziland, where King Mswati III rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch. In 2015, Swaziland was named as one of the ten worst countries for working people in the world, in a report from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

In July 2014 a survey of the Swazi textile industry undertaken by TUCOSWA revealed workers were subjected to harsh and sometimes abusive conditions, many of the kingdom’s labour laws were routinely violated by employers, and union activists were targeted by employers for punishment. More than 90 percent of workers surveyed reported being punished by management for making errors, not meeting quotas or missing shifts. More than 70 percent of survey respondents reported witnessing verbal and physical abuse in their workplace by supervisors.

In its report on human rights in Swaziland in 2013, the US State Department said wage arrears, particularly in the garment industry, were a problem. It said, ‘workers complained that wages were low and that procedures for getting sick leave approved were cumbersome in some factories. The minimum monthly wage for a skilled employee in the industry - including sewing machinists and quality checkers - was E1,128 (US$113 at the time). Minimum wage laws did not apply to the informal sector, where many workers were employed.

‘The garment sector also has a standard 48-hour workweek, but workers alleged that working overtime was compulsory because they had to meet unattainable daily and monthly production quotas.’

In September 2014 hundreds of workers at Tex Ray were affected by poisonous chemical fumes at the factory in Matsapha. Many needed hospital treatment and the factory was closed for several days. 

See also

EXPLOITATION BY TAIWAN TEXTILES

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2012/04/exploitation-by-taiwan-textiles.html

 

MINISTER RAIDS TEXTILE FACTORY

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2012/04/minister-raids-textile-factory.html

 

SWAZI TEXTILE PAY STRIKE ILLEGAL

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2012/03/swazi-textile-pay-strike-illegal.html

 

SWAZI GOVT AIDS TAIWAN EXPLOITATION

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2010/08/swazi-gvt-aids-taiwan-exploitation.html

POLICE SHOOT WOMAN STRIKER IN HEAD

Police in Swaziland shot a woman in the head with a rubber bullet as they fired on workers protesting for a pay rise.

They also fired teargas that spread for 100 metres.

It happened at a Poly Pack factory at Ngwenya where workers were asking for a 20 percent pay rise, according to local meda reports.

In a detailed account the Swazi Observer reported on Friday (10 November 2017), ‘The shot is said to have been fired by one plain clothed police officer.’

It added the shooting was done, ‘in an effort to disperse the workers from the premises of the company’.

The woman identified only as ‘Nelly from Motshane’ was taken by ambulance to Mbabane Government Hospital.

Workers were protesting because management at the company that makes sacks would not listen to their request for more pay.

Negotiations on the pay increase are reported to have started in July 2017. Two weeks ago workers were prevented from striking by the Industrial Court. However, members of the Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland (ATUSWA) decided to strike on Thursday after employers offered a wage increase but only to selected workers.

When workers blocked a company car from entering the premises and set fire to it police, including members of the Operational Support Service Unit (OSSU), intervened.

The Observer reported, ‘They ended up using teargas, which could be inhaled from as far as approximately 100 metres away.’

It added, ‘Rubber bullets were also used to remove the workers from near the premises of the company. 

‘The workers did not want to be dispersed from near the premises as they would regroup, with an intention of going back from where they were dispersed. The police ended up taking about 40 workers for questioning. Some are said to have been arrested from nearby homesteads, where they had run to hide.’

Nelly was reportedly treated and released from hospital, but is one of those workers arrested.

Police in Swaziland, where King Mswati III rules as sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch, and political parties are banned from contesting elections, often intervene on behalf of management in labour disputes.

In February 2017, police fired live gunshots and teargas at Juris Manufacturing in Nhlangano where workers had been locked out during a dispute. There had been a long-running row at the factory about management style and accusations of racism by one boss in particular.

In September 2016, media in Swaziland reported women strikers were ambushed by armed police and ‘brutally attacked’ at the Plantation Forest Company, near Pigg’s Peak. Police had previously used rubber bullets and teargas against the strikers and had fired live rounds to disperse a crowd. 

In 2013, the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) reported that Swaziland was becoming a police and military state.

It said things had become so bad in the kingdom that police were unable to accept that peaceful political and social dissent was a vital element of a healthy democratic process, and should not be viewed as a crime.

These complaints were made by OSISA at an African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) meeting in The Gambia on 10 April 2013.

OSISA said, ‘There are also reliable reports of a general militarization of the country through the deployment of the Swazi army, police and correctional services to clamp down on any peaceful protest action by labour or civil society organisations ahead of the country’s undemocratic elections.’

OSISA was commenting on the trend in Southern Africa for police and security services to be increasingly violent and abusive of human rights.

In particular, OSISA highlighted how the police continued to clamp down on dissenting voices and the legitimate public activities of opposition political parties prior to, during and after elections.

In a statement OSISA said in February 2013 a battalion of armed police invaded the Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral in Manzini and forced the congregation to vacate the church alleging that the service ‘intended to sabotage the country’s general elections’. 

OSISA added, ‘A month later, a heavily armed group of police backed up by the Operational Support Services Unit prevented members of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) from holding a peaceful commemoration prayer in celebration of the federation’s anniversary. In both instances there was no court order giving the police the legal authority to halt the prayers.’

In 2015, Swaziland was named as one of the ten worst countries for working people in the world, in a report from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

See also 

MORE POLICE GUNS AGAINST WORKERS

http://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/more-police-guns-against-workers.html

 

POLICE FIRE RUBBER BULLETS ON STRIKERS

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2016/09/police-fire-rubber-bullets-on-strikers.html
 

POLICE FIRE SHOTS AT WORKERS’ PROTEST

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2016/08/police-fire-shots-at-workers-strike.html

KINGDOM ONE OF WORST IN WORLD FOR WORKERS

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2015/06/kingdom-in-top-ten-worst-for-workers.html

WORKER UNION BARRED FROM COLLEGE

Administration staff at Swaziland’s Institute of Development Management say they have been victimised because they want to join a trade union.

It came after they failed to resolve continuing issues with management and decided to join the Swaziland Union of Non-Academic Staff for Higher Institutions (SUNASHI).

According to a report in the Sunday Observer (10 September 2017), ‘However, their decision has landed the members of staff on a collision course with management, who have instituted disciplinary hearings against 10 of the members who have attempted to join the union.’

The newspaper said according to one of the employees at IDM, staff members tried three times to get the union to address them before management called them to a disciplinary hearing, ‘and threatened to fire them for joining and holding meetings with the said union’.

He said, ‘The actions of IDM intimidate the employees to continue working in harsh, unfavourable and oppressing conditions. At this point they are between a rock and a stone, management refuses to hear them and refuses to allow them representation.’

In 2015, Swaziland was named as one of the ten worst countries for working people in the world, in a report from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). 

The kingdom, ruled by King Mswati III, the last absolute monarch in sub-Saharan Africa, was grouped alongside some of the worst human rights violators in the world, including Belarus, China, Colombia, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The report called The World’s Worst Countries for Workers, reviewed the conditions workers faced during the previous year. Among the worst cases in Swaziland the ITUC reported on the strike at the Maloma Mine which is partly owned by King Mswati.

It reported, ‘Some 250 workers went on strike on 24 November [2014], after the mine management refused to negotiate over a US$72 housing allowance with the Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland (ATUSWA). All legal requirements were observed by the striking workers, and even though the strike was peaceful, the workers were surrounded by police equipped with riot shields, protective headgear, guns and teargas.

‘During the strike, management refused the workers access to water, toilets and medical facilities. Chancellor House, the investment arm of the ANC, owns 75 percent of the Maloma mine, with the remaining 25 percent owned by the Tibiyo Taka Ngwane, a fund controlled by King Mswati III, who is one of the world’s last remaining absolute monarchs.’

Separately in 2015, the International Labour Organization (ILO) told Swaziland it must stop interfering in the activities of trade unions; ensure workers’ organizations were fully assured of their rights and ensure they had the autonomy and independence they needed to represent workers.

The ILO urged the Swaziland Government ‘without further delay’ among other matters to:

Ensure all workers’ and employers’ organizations in the country are fully assured their freedom of association rights.

Ensure organizations are given the autonomy and independence they need and fulfil their mandate and represent their constituents. The Government should refrain from all acts of interference in the activities of trade unions; 

Investigate arbitrary interference by police in lawful, peaceful and legitimate trade union activities and hold accountable those responsible.

See also

SWAZILAND IN TOP TEN WORST FOR WORKERS

http://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/kingdom-in-top-ten-worst-for-workers.html

 

ILO URGES SWAZI WORKERS’ REFORM

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/ilo-urges-swazi-workers-reform.html

COURT BLOCKS SYMPATHY STRIKE

The Industrial Court in Swaziland has blocked an intended sympathy strike in support of Nedbank workers.

Swaziland Union of Financial Institution and Allied Workers (SUFIAW) had asked members in all banks across the kingdom to strike on Friday (18 August 2017) in support of a long-running dispute over pay.

In Swaziland, which is ruled by King Mswati III, the last absolute monarch in sub-Saharan Africa, ‘secondary’ or ‘sympathy’ strikes are illegal.

The strike at Nedbank over a 10 percent cost of living adjustment continues.

In 2015 Swaziland was named as one of the ten worst countries for working people in the world, in a report from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

The kingdom was grouped alongside some of the worst human rights violators in the world, including Belarus, China, Colombia, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

The report called The World’s Worst Countries for Workers, reviewed the conditions workers faced during the previous year.

Among the worst cases in Swaziland the ITUC reported on the strike at the Maloma Mine which is partly owned by King Mswati.

It reported, ‘Some 250 workers went on strike on 24 November [2014], after the mine management refused to negotiate over a US$72 housing allowance with the Amalgamated Trade Unions of Swaziland (ATUSWA). All legal requirements were observed by the striking workers, and even though the strike was peaceful, the workers were surrounded by police equipped with riot shields, protective headgear, guns and teargas.

‘During the strike, management refused the workers access to water, toilets and medical facilities. Chancellor House, the investment arm of the ANC, owns 75% of the Maloma mine, with the remaining 25% owned by the Tibiyo Taka Ngwane, a fund controlled by King Mswati III, who is one of the world’s last remaining absolute monarchs.’

ITUC also reported that the Swazi Prime Minister Barnabas Dlamini, ‘publicly threatened Sipho Gumedze from the Lawyers for Human Rights and TUCOSWA [Trade Union Congress of Swaziland] General Secretary Vincent Ncongwane because of their participation in the US Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC. 

‘Prime Minister Dlamini made the following statement during a speech in Parliament: “They leave your constituencies and do not even inform you where they are going and once they come back and you find out that they are from your constituency you must strangle them.”’

A week after that report was issued, the International Labour Organization (ILO) told Swaziland it must stop interfering in the activities of trade unions; ensure workers’ organizations are fully assured of their rights and ensure they have the autonomy and independence they need to represent workers.

The ILO placed Swaziland in a ‘special paragraph’ in its annual report to highlight the deficiencies in the kingdom’s commitment to freedom of association.

See also

MORE WORKERS JOIN SUGARCANE TRADE UNION

https://swazimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/more-workers-join-sugarcane-union.html

HUMAN SUFFERING AND SWAZI SUGAR

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2016/11/human-suffering-and-swazi-sugar.html

KING EXPLOITS SUGAR WORKERS

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2016/10/king-exploits-sugar-workers.html