African Commission Criticizes Swaziland’s Human Rights Record

In a welcome move, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) has sharply criticized the human rights record of the government of Swaziland and has called on it to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly in accordance with their commitments under international law. Freedom House commends the African Commission for calling to order the regime of King Mswati III, whose arrogant disregard for the rights and well-being of Swazi citizens continues even as he amasses untold personal wealth.  

Swaziland,  Africa’s last absolute monarchy, is rated ‘Not Free’ in Freedom in the World 2012. King Mswati's gross mismanagement of public finances has brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy and has crippled vital public services to the country's poorest individuals. In a country where democratic institutions are paid lip service, the right to assemble peacefully is routinely denied by the police, media is state-controlled, and political parties remain illegal. Freedom House echoes the concerns of the African Commission and urges the Kingdom of Swaziland to immediately halt systematic rights abuses, respect the constitution, and open space for meaningful dialogue aimed at creating a more representative form of government.

The African Commission's resolution on the deteriorating situation in the Kingdom of Swaziland comes as a result of intensive lobbying by Swazi lawyers and activists at the 51st Ordinary Session in Banjul, The Gambia.  Having become 'concerned about the allegations of the violation' of basic rights and 'alarmed by the failure' of the government to implement its previous recommendations, the African Commission has further called on Swaziland to ensure that national elections in 2013 are ‘free, fair and credible.’

Learn More:

Freedom in the World 2011: Swaziland
Freedom of the Press 2011: Swaziland