MBABANE:The United States(US)Senate has finally passed Resolution 174 that seeks to, among others, impose targeted sanctions on human rights violators in eSwatini, the Resolution was passed on Wednesday afternoon.
This comes after the eSwatini Government consistently disregarded international law with political arrogance by violating human rights including torture, arrest and killing of human rights defenders, eSwatini is an absolute Monarchy.
Human rights lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko, the Chairperson of the pro-democracy MultiStakeholder Forum(MSF) was assassinated at his home allegedly by King Mswati’s mercenaries, he was writing letters and corresponding with human rights organizations trying to facilitate a political dialogue as part of peaceful means to resolve the eSwatini political crisis.
“Encourages the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to consider targeted sanctions against any individuals and entities committing violations of internationally-recognized human rights in Eswatini”, reads the US Senate Congress Resolution in part.
Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo who earlier mocked the US Government and harassed the late human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko’s widow, after King Mswati tried to send a delegation to reason with the US Senators and reverse the decision,had not responded at the time of compiling this report.
The historic passing of the Resolution comes as eSwatini continues to hunt independent journalists and kill human rights defenders merely for demanding democracy.
Eswatini is ruled by Mswati as an absolute Monarch, political parties are banned from participating in elections, the country is currently marred by rampant corruption.
Independent journalists who expose corruption and criticize the regime are declared terrorists while pro-democracy Members of Parliament(MPs) are also arrested and labelled terrorists for demanding democracy.
Reached for comments on Wednesday evening, Sivumelwano Nyembe, the Spokesperson of the pro-democracy MultiStakeholder Forum(MSF) welcomed the US Congress Resolution.
“The Multi-stakeholder Forum (MSF) acknowledges and welcomes the resolution passed by the United States Congress condemning the human rights record of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The MSF appreciates the recognition by the US of the repression and persecution faced by political activists in the country, as well as the acknowledgment of the misuse of laws such as the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008 to suppress free speech and criticism.Furthermore, the MSF values the emphasis placed on the use of excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and detention as tools to silence those advocating for democratization in Eswatini”,he said.
The MSF Spokesperson further noted the internationalization of the political persecution faced by two(2) Members of Parliament(MPs) who were arrested for demanding democracy, on fabricated terrorism charges.
“The internationalization of the political persecution faced by two Members of Parliament is also noted and appreciated by the MSF.The MSF views the resolution passed by the US Congress as a potential catalyst for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to continue engaging in political dialogue in Eswatini. The MSF hopes that this resolution will contribute to addressing the ongoing human rights violations and fostering a more inclusive and democratic environment in the country.We hope that the government of Eswatini will give the investigation into the assassination of human rights advocate Thulani Maseko the seriousness and urgency it deserves. It is essential for Eswatini to view the resolution passed by the United States Congress as an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and to guarantee democracy and freedom as the foundation of sustainable peace in the country. Only through genuine efforts to address human rights violations and uphold democratic principles can Eswatini progress towards a more inclusive and prosperous future for all its citizens”,said the MSF Spokesperson.
King Mswati.