Mswati not fit to chair SADC - BNF

Botswana National Front (BNF) has condemned the appointment of Swaziland, which is an absolute monarchy under His Majesty King Mswati III, as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairperson.

At the recent SADC 36th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Swaziland, King Mswati III was handed SADC Chairmanship by Botswana’s President, Ian Khama. BNF Information and Publicity Secretary Justin Hunyepa said Swaziland was chosen despite the country’s poor human rights record under King Mswati III whom he said continues to violate basic freedoms and human rights of the Swati people. Hunyepa stated that currently, there is no constitutional democracy in Swaziland - political parties remain banned in that country.

“King Mswati and his Queen mother Ntombi have absolute authority over the judiciary, legislature and cabinet. Several trade unionists, journalists and other civil society activists have been harassed, tortured, beaten, arbitrarily arrested, imprisoned and some without trial and even worse, some killed under mysterious circumstances with no action being taken against the known security agents.

There are serious restrictions on freedoms of assembly, association and expression in Swaziland. Women and children are still abused and discriminated against and there is no hope that action will be taken soon to stop these abuses,” he stated.

The BNF spokesperson said a host of other human rights violations include prolonged pre-trial detentions; interference with one’s privacy; prohibition on political activity and harassment and arrests of political activists; discrimination on people with albinism as well as lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT). He indicated that the people of Swaziland have been subjected to untold cruelty, torture, degrading and dehumanising treatment at the hands of the monarchy and his traditional advisers.

Hunyepa said the BNF Social Democratic Programme (SDP) sees as one of its most important tasks, the promotion and defence of civil liberties and human rights, not just the right to own property, but also the right to be free from whatever forms of discrimination, oppression and subordination.

“The BNF strongly believes in the respect for human rights and sanctity of life, and therefore condemns the handover of the chairmanship to such a leader who has poor and embarrassing human rights credentials. The party therefore calls on local progressive trade unions, media houses and the general civil society to join it in condemning the handing over of the SADC Chairpersonship to Swaziland.”