ILO: Questions That Need Answers: Put the Swazi Ruling Elite in the Dock!
Press Release 10 June 2010

This week the Justice Minister of Swaziland will be attending the International Labour Conference in Geneva in relation to a critical report on the undermining of human and trade union rights in that impoverished country.  We have no doubt that the Minister will utilise all the acumen at his disposal to paint the picture of a peaceful idyllic Swaziland more in keeping with the wishes of the royal elite.

We would urge all of those who are genuinely concerned about the situation in Swaziland to reflect upon events of the last few months as well as the longer history of misrule by the current regime.

It is time for democrats everywhere to put the Minister in the dock! We must demand answers to the many questions we have and starting with just the five below:  

1. Why for 37 years has Swaziland maintained draconian legislation that prevents political activity or parties, and that denies its peoples the fundamental rights to organise and vote for whom they wish?
2. Why is Swaziland continuing to use its notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act to arrest perfectly innocent people, and subject them to illegal imprisonment and torture?
3. How can the rulers of Swaziland justify the arrest of Sipho Stephen Jele on May 1st this year for wearing a political tee-shirt, and return him home deceased to his family?
4. Why has there not been an independent inquiry about the fate of all those who have died or have been illegally tortured while being held in custody in Swaziland? Why has not a single officer or government representative been investigated never mind charged?
5. Why are the leaders of democratic formations, including trade unions, subject to arbitrary arrest and harassment as was the leader of PUDEMO after speaking at Sipho Jele’s funeral?

The International Labour Conference has a duty to make sure that all governments who act in contradiction to the Conventions that they have ratified are brought to book and are compelled to mend their ways. In addition, any breach of the rights enshrined in the United Nations Charter must be condemned and the victims of injustice given protection from further abuse. 

It is ironic that the Minister will seek to extol the virtues of Swaziland when Amos Mbedzi who has been detained since 2008 will come to trial charged with so-called terrorist offences. This is just one of many cases where the rights of defendants are denied, and where due process is absent.

We urge all parties attending the ILO Conference to stand up for the rights of the Swazi people, and not be lulled into a false sense of security by the spin doctors of the royal elite. The struggle for democracy in Swaziland is a struggle for the development of Africa, and for an end to tyranny.  This is as much a test for the parties that make up the ILO as it is for Africa’s last dictatorial monarchy.

For more information contact:
Ntokozo Mbhele on 072 370 0974 Ntokozo@publicservices.co.za  
Or Philani Ndebele on 076 942 3565 philani@asc.org.za