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Cleopas

Dlamini

Kingdom of Eswatini

Dear H.E Cleopas Dlamini,

I am writing to express my deep concerns stemming from the ongoing unrest in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Amid a wave of pro-democracy protests, two members of your parliament, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza of Ngwempisa constituency and Mthandeni Dube of Hosea constituency, were arrested on 25 July 2021 under the draconian Suppression of Terrorism Act and other trumped-up charges.

The two MPs’ arrests came amid a wave of protests sparked in June 2021 calling for political reform following the mysterious death of 25-year-old law student, Thabani Nkomonye, who allegedly died at the hands of the police in early May 2021. Since their arrest in July, peaceful protests and demonstrations have emerged nationwide calling for their release and an end to the use of excessive force against peaceful protestors.

Following a High Court Judge’s refusal to grant MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and MP Mthandeni Dube bail on 14 September, there has been an even further escalation resulting in arbitrary arrests of peaceful protestors, loss of life, allegations of torture and other ill treatment.

Not only are certain provisions in the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008 threatening to human rights and inherently repressive – they also breach Eswatini’s obligations under international and regional human rights law and the Constitution of Eswatini. This is directly in violation of the rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Activism, be it political or otherwise, should be possible in Eswatini without fear of reprisal. Despite political differences, respect for human rights law should be adhered to.

In light of the above, I urge you to immediately release MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and MP Mthandeni Dube, and all others arbitrarily detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and drop all charges against them. I also urge you to repeal or amend repressive laws such as the Suppression of Terrorism Act, the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act and the Public Order Act.

Yours sincerely

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