ACTION takes action for the release of political prisoners in Swaziland
The SDC South Africa Chapter is engaged in a series of meetings and consultations with key activists and organisations in South Africa and across the region that seek to build sustained regional solidarity with the struggle for freedom by the people of Swaziland.
This emerged from growing concerns about the state of freedom of expression, judicial independence, and rule of law in the Kingdom of Swaziland, including arbitrary arrests and detentions of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, independent journalist Bheki Makhubu, and several political activists such as PUDEMO President Mario Masuku and student leader Maxwell Dlamini.
A series of events will be organised in South Africa and across the region to respond to this, which will include the launch of a ‘Free Mario and all detained political activists’ campaign, solidarity visits, and robust preparations for the Global Week of Action in September this year.
The ASC joins the clarion call with progressive forces in Swaziland, Africa and around the world for an immediate release of all political prisoners detained in Swaziland, respect for life and human rights and the beginning of a process that seeks to democratise all fundamental institutions in Swaziland. The ASC is already working on reviving the SDC website.