HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER ATTACK IN ESWATINI
The Kingdom of Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy, continues to draw international concern due to the government’s severe and systematic violations of human rights. In 2023, the state ramped up its efforts to suppress dissent, undermining freedoms and attacking those who dared to speak out. Activists, union leaders, and marginalized communities found themselves in the crosshairs of a regime that prioritizes power over justice. This ongoing crisis paints a bleak picture of a nation crying out for reform while being stifled by its rulers.
The year began with a tragic and symbolic event: the assassination of Thulani Maseko, a prominent human rights lawyer and activist. Maseko was gunned down in his own home in January, an act that sent shockwaves across the nation and the global human rights community. His death was particularly chilling as it occurred just weeks after similar attacks targeted opposition members like Maxwell Nkambule and Penuel and Xolile Dlamini-Malinga of the banned People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO). Despite widespread condemnation and calls for a transparent investigation, the government has taken no meaningful steps to identify or prosecute those responsible. This pattern of inaction reflects a culture of impunity that emboldens perpetrators and erodes trust in the justice system.
The suppression of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly has become a cornerstone of Eswatini’s governance. Labor unions like the Swaziland Transport, Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU) were ruthlessly targeted for organizing strikes to demand better working conditions and political reform. In January, SWATCAWU’s general secretary, Sticks Nkambule, went into hiding after an arrest warrant was issued against him on dubious charges. Routine threats, harassment, and intimidation by security forces created an environment where dissent was met with fear and silence.
The authorities’ response to peaceful protests has been disproportionately violent. On January 25, student demonstrators in Manzini were met with brutal force, with police using live ammunition and detaining student leaders without due process. Just days later, activists delivering petitions to local authorities were injured in another clash with security forces. Such incidents highlight a broader strategy to crush opposition through violence, leaving a chilling effect on civil society.
Arbitrary detention and torture have also become disturbingly common. Former Members of Parliament Mthandeni Dube and Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza were found guilty of terrorism, sedition, and murder in June under the 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act. Their crime? Publicly calling for political reform during the 2021 pro-democracy protests. While in detention, they were reportedly subjected to beatings, denied medical care, and blocked from accessing their legal representatives. Similarly, PUDEMO member Brian Sihlongonyane faced abduction and torture by the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force after peacefully delivering a petition to the United Nations.
The erosion of rights extends beyond political activists to the general population. Public healthcare remains in a dire state, with clinics and hospitals severely underfunded and ill-equipped. Nationwide protests erupted in June and July as citizens demanded basic medical supplies and resources. The government’s response has been sluggish and inadequate, leaving countless citizens without access to essential healthcare services.
Land governance remains another flashpoint. Hundreds of people face the threat of forced eviction due to an outdated and inequitable system that denies security of tenure to vulnerable communities. Legal battles in areas like Sigombeni and the Malkerns have yet to yield meaningful outcomes, leaving families in a state of uncertainty and fear.
Marginalized groups, particularly the LGBTI community, face systemic discrimination. Consensual same-sex conduct remains criminalized, and efforts to secure equal rights are met with hostility. In July, the Supreme Court ruled that the refusal to register the Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities (ESGM) as a nonprofit organization was unconstitutional. However, the acting Minister of Commerce and Trade defied the court’s ruling, citing archaic legal principles to justify continued discrimination.
Eswatini’s monarchy lies at the heart of these challenges. King Mswati III, who wields ultimate authority over all branches of government, has shown little interest in reform. Political parties remain banned under a 1973 decree, and parliamentary elections held in August and September 2023 offered no real choice for citizens. With independent candidates the only ones allowed to run, the electoral process serves to reinforce the king’s power rather than reflect the will of the people.
Despite these oppressive conditions, the people of Eswatini continue to push for change. Activists, unions, and communities remain resilient, refusing to let violence and intimidation extinguish their hopes for democracy and justice. The international community must stand in solidarity with them, applying pressure on the Eswatini government to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law.
The struggle for freedom in Eswatini is far from over, but it is a fight worth pursuing. Until justice is served for victims like Thulani Maseko, and until every citizen can enjoy their basic rights without fear, the call for reform will echo louder than ever.
