Editor — On the Global Day of Action on Swa-ziland, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) stands in solidarity with all human rights defenders (HRDs) and other peace-loving citizens of Swaziland.
ZLHR has been monitoring developments in Swaziland and is alarmed by the serious deterioration of the human rights situation which has included arbitrary arrests, detention and malicious prosecution of HRDs, including members of the legal profession; suppression of democratic activity and voices; and stubborn refusal to respect the fundamental right of citizens to participate in the governance of their country.
What is particularly alarming is the arrest and detention on Monday last week, of several HRDs from the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions, the Swaziland Federation of Labour, the Swaziland National Asso-ciation of Teachers, members of human rights civil society organisations working in Swaziland, and members of the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions and its affiliates, while they were preparing for this week’s activities in support of the Swaziland democracy action campaign.
Adding fuel to the fire, South African representatives of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign were deported from Swaziland on Monday, and the The People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO) deputy president was arrested at the Phongola border post. The local activists were later said to have been released without charge.
To HRDs in Zimbabwe, who have similarly suffered and continue to suffer such blatant abuses of their human rights, such action is deplorable and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms wherever and whenever it arises.
It is an intentional attempt to disrupt organised activities and deter HRDs from pursuing their legitimate activities.
ZLHR therefore joins with the numerous democratic forces throughout the region in:
l Demanding the cessation of arbitrary arrests and detention of HRDs and democracy activists by the authorities in Swaziland;
l Demanding the immediate and safe release of the PUDEMO Deputy President from custody;
l Calling for the immediate opening up of democratic space and respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of expression, movement, association and assembly so vital for the flourishing of democracy and participation by ordinary citizens in the affairs of their country;
l Encouraging continued regional and international action in solidarity with the people of Swaziland and all legitimate HRDs to ensure the repressive activities of the state are brought to an end and political pluralism is restored as a matter of urgency.
ZLHR
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