By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:King Mswati and high profile government officials allegedly involved in human rights violations including the assassination of prominent human rights lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko,might soon be held accountable in the terms of the sanctions oriented United States(US) Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.

This comes after the US officially demonstrated willingness to intensify the “Justice for Thulani Maseko campaign” by awarding the late lawyer through the Magnitsky Human Rights Awards, the award was accepted by the lawyer’s widow Tanele Maseko last month.

Thulani Rudolf Maseko,the Chairperson of the pro-democracy MultiStakeholder Forum(MSF)was assassinated allegedly by King Mswati’s agents within his home at Luyengo on the 21st January 2023,he was leading the calls for democratic reforms in eSwatini.

Subsequently,this publication reported that Senator Christopher Coons,the Chairperson of the United States(US)Congress on Foreign Relations tabled resolution 174 on eSwatini human rights violations after the brutal killing of highly regarded human rights lawyer.

The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, enacted in December 2016,authorizes the President of the United States(US) to impose economic sanctions, freeze assets and deny entry into the

United States(US) to foreign individuals or entities identified as engaging in human rights

violations or corruption. 

But once the US impose the sanctions other governments and foreign partners that include Canada, the United Kingdom (UK),and the European Union (EU) normally implement the decision to impose the sanctions.

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Saturday,Percy Simelane,the King’s Spokesperson said the murder of the lawyer was being investigated by seasoned intelligence adding that,until the police disclose the outcomes, other claims won’t make sense without evidence linking the eSwatini King to the crime.

“Thulani Maseko’s murder is being investigated by seasoned intelligence and until we hear from the police involved in the investigation other claims will continue to fail to make sense to us without evidence linking this filthy  crime with the King.May those who know who killed Mr Maseko tell their story  to the police and not to irrelevant  ears”, said the King’s Spokesperson.

A source very close to the matter confirmed that,the list of targeted sanctions on human rights violators in eSwatini was being finalized.

“We are finalizing the list of targeted sanctions”, said the source.

Responding to this Swaziland News on Saturday when asked to comment about the latest developments,human rights lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi who worked closely with the assassinated lawyer said,the State must provide an update or progress report regarding the investigation into the murder of Thulani Rudolf Maseko.

“The state must provide update on progress about Thulani’s murder.The state has been quiet for almost a year now.For as long as there is no transparency on the investigations the state will remain implicated.The state can’t wish away or water down the murder of such an important person.The call for an independent and transparent investigation is therefore justified as the kingdom of Swaziland hasn’t done anything in a year”, said the eSwatini human rights lawyer who worked closely with Thulani Rudolf Maseko.

Sivumelwano Nyembe is the Spokesperson of the MultiStakeholder Forum(MSF),a coalition of pro-democracy groups and civil society organizations collectively working towards ushering eSwatini into a new democratic dispensation.He told this publication on Sunday that,as an organization,they welcome the Magnitsky Human Rights Award bestowed upon Thulani Rudolf Maseko,the inaugural Chairperson of MSF and its visionary founder. 

“This recognition arrives at a critical juncture when the people of Swaziland yearn for concerted efforts to halt grave human rights violations.The persistent denial of fundamental rights, including the right to assembly, association, and freedom of speech, is evident in the ongoing ban on political parties and the unjust incarceration of political figures.We ardently hope that these targeted sanctions serve as a catalyst for the Swazi state to adhere to the SADC resolution, urging a meaningful and inclusive political dialogue.This dialogue holds the promise of vital milestones: the lifting of bans on political parties, the formulation of a democratic constitution, and the ushering in of an accountable and participatory democratic government,”said the Spokesperson of the MultiStakeholder Forum(MSF).

On another note,the highly regarded human rights lawyer whose assassination attracted global condemnation,was the former Secretary General(SG) of eSwatini’s largest and main political party,the People’s United Democratic Movement(PUDEMO).

Speaking to this publication,Brian Sangweni,the PUDEMO National Spokesperson said, the political organization welcome the intention to impose targeted sanctions against human rights violators in eSwatini.

“PUDEMO long undertook a program related to her international work pillar to lobby for targeted sanctions against human rights violators in the country in particular the royal family and government officials who are at the center of our oppression.To this effect we have a policy document calling for targeted sanctions against the royal family and government elites”,said the PUDEMO National Spokesperson.

Eswatini is ruled by Mswati as an absolute Monarch,political parties are banned from participating in elections and human rights defenders are jailed and killed for demanding democracy.