The land-locked Kingdom of Swaziland has a population of just 1.1 million. This small country is often overlooked despite the denial of democracy, rights and enduring Africa’s longest running state of emergency since 1973.
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Swaziland NUS President detained |
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Maxwell Dlamini, president of the Swaziland National Union of Students and Musa Ngebuni from the youth group SWAYOCO were arrested on 13 April during protests for democracy and rights in the country. Pro democracy activists believe that the allegation that pair were in possession of explosives was fabricated and believe that they have been tortured whilst in custody.
Join ACTSA and NUS and email the High Commissioner for Swaziland to call for their release and the dropping of charges against them.  |
Free Maxwell Dlamini - a pack for students' unions
ACTSA and NUS have produced a pack for students' unions to help call for Maxwell Dlamini's release and highlight the ongoing situation in Swaziland. It includes information about the lack of democracy in the country, a model motion which can be submitted to students' union councils, and a model letter to the Swazi government and media to let them know about the action.
Download the pack (pdf) Democracy and rights in Swaziland
The people of Swaziland suffer from extreme poverty (almost two thirds of the population live on less than $1.25 a day) and more than 1 in 4 Swazis are living with HIV/AIDS. Swaziland is Africa's only autocratic absolute monarchy. Political parties are banned, political and civic activists are imprisoned, and the judiciary, media and other authoritative bodies are controlled by the monarchy.
You can find out more about the situation in Swaziland in ACTSA's briefing paper, which examines the country's history, political situation, human and labour rights and the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Democracy and human rights in Swaziland
ACTSA works to increase awareness of the situation in Swaziland, calling for democracy and the respect of human rights.
Working with a wide range of civil society organisations in Swaziland, we highlight the denial of democracy and human rights abuses to decision makers in the UK, Commonwealth and European Union, and encourage them to take action. We also support actions and initiatives in southern Africa which help bring about democracy and rights for Swaziland.
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