Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Action for Southern Africa(ACTSA) in collaboration with the Southern African Human Rights Defenders Network(SAHRDN), staged a protest outside the eSwatini Embassy in the United Kingdom(UK), amid human rights violations in eSwatini.
This comes after the United States(US) Parliament passed a resolution, condemning among others, the ongoing human rights in the country including the killing of human rights lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko, the Chairperson of the MultiStakeholder Forum(MSF).
Eswatini Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo declined to comment when reached by this publication on Saturday morning.
In a joint statement sent on Friday afternoon, the human rights organizations said, the protest was meant to highlight the ongoing atrocities in eSwatini on or during King Mswati’s Birthday.
“Together with Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), this protest is organised by a coalition of global citizens deeply concerned about the ongoing human rights violations in Eswatini. Our diverse group comprises human rights defenders, civil society organizations, women’s groups, youth organizations, diplomats, professionals, clergy, and individuals dedicated to justice from all corners of the globe”, reads the statement in part.
The human rights organizations further mentioned that, there “is nothing to celebrate in eSwatini amid human rights violations”.
Eswatini is ruled by King Mswati as an absolute Monarchy, political parties are banned from participating in elections while political activists,human rights defenders including independent journalists are arrested,tortured or even killed for demanding democracy or criticizing the King and his Government.
“There is nothing to celebrate in Eswatini while the perpetrators of the assassination of Thulani Maseko remain unaccountable.The planned assassination of Thulani Maseko in January 2022, at his home in front of his family, was a grim reminder of the darkness overshadowing our country, ruled by an absolute monarch who has shut down democratic space and ignores any constitutional law or human rights standards normally present in a country recognised SADC, the Commonwealth and the AU.Further, the Eswatini authorities have so far, failed to investigate this crime, shining light on the harsh reality of impunity, injustice, and lack of accountability in Eswatini. This has deepened the sense of injustice and eroded trust in the institutions meant to uphold the rule of law.Adding further insult, the authorities have engaged in the reprehensible act of harassing Tanele Maseko,(the widow of Thulani), and their children, as she went about her lawful business during the April holiday, returning from an international conference”, reads the statement released by the human rights organizations.
On another note, the two(2) organizations urged other international organizations and individuals to join and amplify the calls for accountability in the midst of human rights violations in eSwatini.
“We call upon all individuals who stand for justice and human rights to join us in solidarity and demand immediate action to address the atrocities being committed in Eswatini.It is imperative to recognize that any festivities commemorating King Mswati\’s birthday lose their meaning when juxtaposed with the persistence of these injustices. The lack of urgency, transparency, and accountability in addressing these violations not only undermines democracy but also fosters a climate where impunity thrives unchecked.Therefore, we ALSO urgently call upon the international community, particularly the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU), to intervene and address the escalating human rights crisis in Eswatini.Thulani Maseko was a highly respected human rights lawyer and co-chair of the proposed Multi-Stakeholder Forum aimed at producing space for dialogue in our nation, to establish peace and democratic freedoms afforded other Southern African citizens. Maseko’s unwavering dedication to justice made him a beacon in Africa, and his tragic death was met across the continent with shock and sorrow. His legacy of bravery inspires us to redouble our efforts in the fight for justice and human rights, ensuring that his sacrifice was not in vain”, the reputable human rights organizations said through the statement.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
