Contact the ASC

	Latest News - Article
*SDC Embraces Civil Society Calls for Smart Sanctions against Tinkhundla!* Press Release 22 July 2010 Following the call on Saturday 17th July 2010 by fifty-three (53) participants representing at least 16 different civil society organizations -- including the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF), the Swaziland Federation of Labour (SFL), the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU), the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), the Swaziland National Association of Ex-Mineworkers (SNEMA), SPRAWU, the National Association of Public Servants and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU), the Swaziland Consumers’ Forum (SWACOF), the Council of Swaziland Churches (CSC), the Swaziland Association of Students (SAS), the Socio-Economic Justice Network (SEJN), the Swaziland Youth Development Forum (SYDF), the Foundation for Socio-Economic Justice (FSEJ), Home-Based Care (volunteer healthcare providers), the Business Community (Hairdressers), etc.) -- in an open discussion hosted by the Swaziland Chapter of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC-SD), at the Tum’s George Hotel in Manzini, for the instant imposition of smart sanctions on the Tinkhundla regime, the SDC-SD obliged, and as a result, we: Will, in collaboration with our South African counterparts (SDC-SA), labour and civil society partners, be rolling out mass protest activities and intensify civil disobedience (defiance campaign) that will culminate in the global week of protest slated around Independence Day on 6th September 2010. Our activities will include public launch of the SDC inside Swaziland, resisting the return of the non-bailable law, resisting the registration of political parties, rejecting with the contempt it deserves the ongoing facile “Smart Partnership Dialogue”, etc. Will fully cooperate with the ILO inspection team to whom our plea for the retention of Swaziland’s “Special Paragraph” status until human rights inhibitions such as the exclusionary Constitution (2005), the Suppression of Terrorism Act (2008), the Public Service Act (2009), the Media bill (2010), etc., are removed, will be unequivocal. We note that should Swaziland remain in the ILO “Special Paragraph” by the next ILO conference, the United Nations (UN) will, on the recommendation of ILO, also consider economic sanctions against the country. We plan to intensify pressure so that Tinkhundla succumbs to change before such crushing blanket sanctions become necessary. We do not want sanctions that will hit the poor and innocent citizens hardest. Hereby call upon influential international economic blocs such as the European Union (EU), individual democracy-loving economic giants such as the United States of America (USA), Denmark (already doing a lot for the cause of Swaziland’s democracy), Australia, and all our international labour solidarity network partners whose unwavering support ensured Swaziland’s ILO “Special Paragraph” status in the recent Geneva conference to either impose or campaign for the immediate imposition of economic smart sanctions on the Tinkhundla regime until it succumbs to multiparty democracy. The programme at the Tum’s George Hotel included: ILO Report (Swaziland in ILO “Special Paragraph”)! – Motivated by Vincent Ncongwane (SUDF/SFL Secretary General, SDC-SD executive committee ex-officio member, & member of the Swaziland ILO delegation) Return of the Non-Bailable Law – Motivated by lawyer Mary Pais Da Silva (SDC-SD Convener) Registration of political parties – Motivated by Sikelela Dlamini (SDC-SD Secretary) Women’s Rights & the struggle – Motivated by Phumelele Zulu-Dlamini (SDC-SD executive committee member) Open Discussion – Facilitated by Mancoba Mabuza (PUDEMO) Participants came from all corners of the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland and were unanimous, following the unpacking and interrogation of the programme items, that it was time civil society rallied behind their political mouthpiece and vehicle (SUDF), through its operational campaign arm, the combined SD-SA SDC, to push ahead with the uncompromising call for instant international smart sanctions against the leadership of the Tinkhudla regime as a way of adding pressure for Swaziland’s speedy return to multiparty democracy. The attendance and animated focused participation far exceeded our expectations; particularly in the light of the prevailing hostile political climate inside Swaziland. Plain-clothed police detectives could only grudgingly watch from the parking lot of the George Hotel. One crucial lesson from this experience is that if we had the financial resources we need and deserve, we would stay right ahead of our cat-and-mouse game with the state security agents (i.e., use a public venue when we don’t mind police interference and a private commercial facility when we need to interact with our constituency uninterrupted). Among the harrowing tales of ongoing blatant state-perpetrated human rights violations were the stories of widows (from Siphocosini) in the audience who enrolled orphaned children of deceased relatives in response to the “Free Primary Education” (FPE) call in January only to be told in June that the Tinkhundla government would not pay for their tuition. Equally moving was the story of Boycey Magongo who had his entire homestead bombed mysteriously following a land dispute with the traditional authorities of Elangeni a few years ago. Now, if you profess to be anywhere near being a human rights activist/defender, where were you on this day and what are you either currently practically doing or planning to do to ensure that these desperate innocent Swazi citizens finally find redress? Come forward; the SDC desperately needs to work with you to prevent further human rights abuses by accelerating the push back to multiparty democracy, transparency, accountability, and social justice. We are positive that our line-up of defiant activities, including the very public launch of the SDC inside Swaziland on July 30th, will be even more successful, even if predictably more eventful, events. We are adamant that by September 6th the future path of Swaziland’s mainstream politics will be a lot more clearly defined. Forward to multiparty democracy – we are almost there, folks. Amandla!!! For more information contact: Ms. Mary Pais Da Silva (Convener) (+268) 7603 0076 mpsdasilva@gmail.com Dr. Sikelela Dlamini (Secretary) (+268) 7617 1151 sikamd@gmail.com

Latest News - Article

SDC Embraces Civil Society Calls for Smart Sanctions against Tinkhundla!
Press Release 22 July 2010

Following the call on Saturday 17th July 2010 by fifty-three (53) participants representing at least 16 different civil society organizations -- including the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO), the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF), the Swaziland Federation of Labour (SFL), the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU), the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), the Swaziland National Association of Ex-Mineworkers (SNEMA), SPRAWU, the National Association of Public Servants and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU), the Swaziland Consumers’ Forum (SWACOF), the Council of Swaziland Churches (CSC), the Swaziland Association of Students (SAS), the Socio-Economic Justice Network (SEJN), the Swaziland Youth Development Forum (SYDF), the Foundation for Socio-Economic Justice (FSEJ), Home-Based Care (volunteer healthcare providers), the Business Community (Hairdressers), etc.) -- in an open discussion hosted by the Swaziland Chapter of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC-SD), at the Tum’s George Hotel in Manzini, for the instant imposition of smart sanctions on the Tinkhundla regime, the SDC-SD obliged, and as a result, we:

Will, in collaboration with our South African counterparts (SDC-SA), labour and civil society partners, be rolling out mass protest activities and intensify civil disobedience (defiance campaign) that will culminate in the global week of protest slated around Independence Day on 6th September 2010. Our activities will include public launch of the SDC inside Swaziland, resisting the return of the non-bailable law, resisting the registration of political parties, rejecting with the contempt it deserves the ongoing facile “Smart Partnership Dialogue”, etc.
Will fully cooperate with the ILO inspection team to whom our plea for the retention of Swaziland’s “Special Paragraph” status until human rights inhibitions such as the exclusionary Constitution (2005), the Suppression of Terrorism Act (2008), the Public Service Act (2009), the Media bill (2010), etc., are removed, will be unequivocal. We note that should Swaziland remain in the ILO “Special Paragraph” by the next ILO conference, the United Nations (UN) will, on the recommendation of ILO, also consider economic sanctions against the country. We plan to intensify pressure so that Tinkhundla succumbs to change before such crushing blanket sanctions become necessary. We do not want sanctions that will hit the poor and innocent citizens hardest.
Hereby call upon influential international economic blocs such as the European Union (EU), individual democracy-loving economic giants such as the United States of America (USA), Denmark (already doing a lot for the cause of Swaziland’s democracy), Australia, and all our international labour solidarity network partners whose unwavering support ensured Swaziland’s ILO “Special Paragraph” status in the recent Geneva conference to either impose or campaign for the immediate imposition of economic smart sanctions on the Tinkhundla regime until it succumbs to multiparty democracy.

The programme at the Tum’s George Hotel included:

ILO Report (Swaziland in ILO “Special Paragraph”)! – Motivated by Vincent Ncongwane (SUDF/SFL Secretary General, SDC-SD executive committee ex-officio member, & member of the Swaziland ILO delegation)
Return of the Non-Bailable Law – Motivated by lawyer Mary Pais Da Silva (SDC-SD Convener)
Registration of political parties – Motivated by Sikelela Dlamini (SDC-SD Secretary)
Women’s Rights & the struggle – Motivated by Phumelele Zulu-Dlamini (SDC-SD executive committee member)
Open Discussion – Facilitated by Mancoba Mabuza (PUDEMO)

Participants came from all corners of the mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland and were unanimous, following the unpacking and interrogation of the programme items, that it was time civil society rallied behind their political mouthpiece and vehicle (SUDF), through its operational campaign arm, the combined SD-SA SDC, to push ahead with the uncompromising call for instant international smart sanctions against the leadership of the Tinkhudla regime as a way of adding pressure for Swaziland’s speedy return to multiparty democracy.

The attendance and animated focused participation far exceeded our expectations; particularly in the light of the prevailing hostile political climate inside Swaziland. Plain-clothed police detectives could only grudgingly watch from the parking lot of the George Hotel. One crucial lesson from this experience is that if we had the financial resources we need and deserve, we would stay right ahead of our cat-and-mouse game with the state security agents (i.e., use a public venue when we don’t mind police interference and a private commercial facility when we need to interact with our constituency uninterrupted).

Among the harrowing tales of ongoing blatant state-perpetrated human rights violations were the stories of widows (from Siphocosini) in the audience who enrolled orphaned children of deceased relatives in response to the “Free Primary Education” (FPE) call in January only to be told in June that the Tinkhundla government would not pay for their tuition.

Equally moving was the story of Boycey Magongo who had his entire homestead bombed mysteriously following a land dispute with the traditional authorities of Elangeni a few years ago. Now, if you profess to be anywhere near being a human rights activist/defender, where were you on this day and what are you either currently practically doing or planning to do to ensure that these desperate innocent Swazi citizens finally find redress?

Come forward; the SDC desperately needs to work with you to prevent further human rights abuses by accelerating the push back to multiparty democracy, transparency, accountability, and social justice.

We are positive that our line-up of defiant activities, including the very public launch of the SDC inside Swaziland on July 30th, will be even more successful, even if predictably more eventful, events. We are adamant that by September 6th the future path of Swaziland’s mainstream politics will be a lot more clearly defined. Forward to multiparty democracy – we are almost there, folks. Amandla!!!

For more information contact:

Ms. Mary Pais Da Silva (Convener)
(+268) 7603 0076
mpsdasilva@gmail.com

Dr. Sikelela Dlamini (Secretary)
(+268) 7617 1151
sikamd@gmail.com