The harassment and intimidation of Sticks Nkambule shows that Eswatini authorities are effectively criminalizing peaceful dissent

Vongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International's Interim Deputy Director for East and Southern Africa

“The harassment and intimidation of Sticks Nkambule and the union that he represents for simply organizing a protest shows that the authorities in Eswatini are effectively criminalizing peaceful dissent. The message they are sending is loud and clear: those who dare to differ with those in power will be punished.

“Authorities must drop the sinister charges against Sticks Nkambule, stop criminalizing dissent and respect the people’s rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. This travesty of justice must end.

Criminalizing people who express their views and protest goes against Eswatini’s Constitution, which guarantees the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association

Vongai Chikwanda

“Criminalizing people who express their views and protest goes against Eswatini’s Constitution, which guarantees the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. It also violates the country’s international human rights obligations including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Eswatini is a state party.”

“Eswatini authorities must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of everyone in the country and allow people to freely exercise their rights. Authorities must stop using the criminal justice system to harass, intimidate and persecute those who dare to stand up for their rights including union leaders and protesters.”

Background

Sticks Nkambule is facing contempt of court charges connected to the stay away strike that took place on 13 and 14 December 2022 which was organised by the Swaziland Transport Communication and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU), a coalition of trade unions.

The protest was organized to demand the release of Mthandeni Dube and Bacede Mabuza, Members of the Eswatini Parliament incarcerated since 25 July 2021 for calling for political reforms in the country. Sticks is listed as the first respondent to the case, while his union is the second respondent.

The other two unions, the Eswatini Kombi and Buses Allied Union, Swaziland Commercial Amadoda Road Transport Association, are third and fourth respondent respectively.

The post Eswatini: Authorities must stop using the courts to intimidate and harass union leaders appeared first on Amnesty International.

Eswatini authorities must reveal what steps they have taken to facilitate an independent  investigation into Maseko’s killing.

Vongai Chikwanda, Deputy Director for Southern Africa, Amnesty International

“A month after Thulani Maseko was gunned down, it remains unclear what steps the Eswatini authorities have taken to facilitate an independent investigation to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this crime. Amnesty International is calling on the authorities to reveal how they intend to ensure the investigation into Maseko’s death will be thorough, impartial and transparent,” said Vongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa.

“It is absolutely crucial that the evidence is not tampered with. As a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Eswatini has the obligation to investigate any unlawful killing. Failing to investigate the unlawful killing of Thulani and bring the perpetrator to justice would be a violation of the country’s obligations under the ICCPR.”

The unlawful killing of human rights defender and lawyer Thulani Maseko on 21 January came amid an escalation in attacks on critics, many of whom had been calling out for political reforms in Eswatini.

Maseko was shot three times through the window of his home by unknown gunmen at close range. A local newspaper reported that two police officers had staked out his house before he was killed. According to reports, those police officers were allegedly the same ones who attended the crime scene after Maseko was shot.

Inter-governmental organizations such as the Southern African Development Community, the Africa Union, and the European Union, as well as the human rights community, including Amnesty International, have called for a full and transparent investigation into Maseko’s killing.

Thulani Maseko’s killing must not be covered up or swept under the carpet.

Vongai Chikwanda

“Every day that passes without commitment and action from the authorities towards an independent and transparent investigation brings further pain for Maseko‘s family. This killing must not be covered up or swept under the carpet. The perpetrators of this brutal crime must be brought to trial,” said Vongai Chikwanda.

“In the meantime, the Eswatini authorities must ensure that people in the country are safe and able to exercise their human rights freely and without any reprisals, including political activists and human rights defenders.”

Background

On 21 January, Maseko was shot by unknown gunmen at his home in Luyengo, Mbabane.

Prior to his death, he chaired the Multi-Stakeholders Forum, a group of political parties and civil society groups calling for democratic reform in the country.

Eswatini’s monarchy is strongly opposed to activism and any kind of political reform. The day before Maseko was killed, King Mswati III reportedly said that those calling for democratic reform in the country would be “dealt with”.

The post Eswatini: Investigation into Thulani Maseko’s killing must be independent and transparent appeared first on Amnesty International.

The unlawful killing of human rights defender and lawyer Thulani Maseko highlights the increasing repression of critical voices in Eswatini.

The investigation into Thulani Maseko’s killing should be carried out by authorities independent of the government.

Flavia Mwangovya, Deputy Director for East and Southern Africa, Amnesty International

Maseko was shot by unknown gunmen at his home in Luyengo, Mbabane on 21 January. Although the motive behind his killing remains unclear, Amnesty International has reason to believe that he was attacked in relation to his work as a human rights defender. Maseko has previously been targeted by the state for demanding justice and criticizing the country’s judiciary.

“The investigation should be carried out by authorities independent of the government and any institution, agency or person who may be the subject of, or otherwise involved in, the investigation, with the final results being made public, and aimed at ensuring that justice for Maseko’s killing is not denied” said Flavia Mwangovya, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for East and Southern Africa. 

The cold-blooded unlawful killing of Thulani Maseko offers a chilling reminder that human rights defenders, especially those at the forefront of calling for political reform in Eswatini, are not safe.

Flavia Mwangovya

“The cold-blooded unlawful killing of Thulani Maseko offers a chilling reminder that human rights defenders, especially those at the forefront of calling for political reform in Eswatini, are not safe. If they are not being persecuted, harassed or intimidated by the state, they are at risk of losing their lives,”

“Maseko’s family deserves justice; his killers must be brought to trial.”

Prior to his death, Maseko chaired the Multi-Stakeholders Forum, a group of political parties and civil society groups calling for democratic reform in the country. Eswatini’s monarchy is strongly opposed to political reforms and activism. The day before Maseko was killed, King Mswati III reportedly said in a public address that those who are calling for democratic reform in the country would be “dealt with”.

On the evening of 21 January, Maseko was shot through the window of his home by unknown gunmen at close range. He was reportedly shot twice. A local newspaper also reported that two police officers had staked out his house before he was killed. Allegedly, those police officers were same ones who attended the crime scene after Maseko was shot.

A courageous human rights lawyer

Thulani Maseko was a courageous human rights defender, lawyer and state critic who refused to turn a blind eye to the government’s oppression of the people of Eswatini. He stood up against the state’s abuse of power, including what many see as the mismanagement of the country’s resources, and called for the authorities to prioritize developing the country.

In 2014, Maseko was sentenced to two years in prison, alongside veteran news editor Bhekithemba Makhubu, for contempt of court after publicly criticizing what they perceived as the judiciary’s lack of independence and integrity. Amnesty International had declared him a Prisoner of Conscience.

The unlawful killing of Maseko follows a spate of attacks on opposition leaders and pro-democracy activists, all of whom have been challenging the monarch and demanding political reform in the country since May 2021, including through nationwide protests. In response to the demonstrations, the government launched a brutal crackdown on human rights activism. Some politicians have been jailed merely for being suspected of joining calls for political reform.

“Thulani Maseko was a key pillar in the struggle for freedom in Eswatini. His death, which has already sent a chilling message to pro-democracy activists across the country, may signify an escalation in attacks against those who are openly seeking political reforms,” said Flavia Mwangovya.

“The Southern Africa Development Community and the Eswatini authorities must demonstrate that they are committed to protecting everybody in the country, including human rights defenders, opposition leaders and pro-democracy activists. Nobody should be attacked or threatened simply for being critical and pushing for political reforms.”

The post Eswatini: Leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice for Thulani Maseko’s unlawful killing appeared first on Amnesty International.

The arbitrary detention of Colani Maseko by the security forces — under the guise of “questioning” and subsequent charges of sedition and malicious damage to property amounts to intimidation and harassment

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Director for East and Southern Africa

“The arbitrary detention of Colani Maseko and Sibusiso Nkwanyane, who has since been released, by the security forces — under the guise of “questioning” and subsequent charges of sedition and malicious damage to property against Maseko — amounts to intimidation and harassment of those peacefully exercising their human rights by challenging the monarchy’s power. Clearly, the authorities are desperate to weaken the pro-democracy movement that is pushing for political reforms in Eswatini.  

“Colani Maseko must be immediately and unconditionally released and all these politically motivated charges against him must be withdrawn. Otherwise, he must be promptly brought to court and guaranteed a fair trial.

Maseko must be immediately and unconditionally released and all these politically motivated charges against him must be withdrawn

Deprose Muchena

“The Eswatini authorities must urgently end their crackdown on political activists and human rights defenders. The views of these activists should be welcomed in the arena of public debate, not repressed. Authorities must allow people to freely exercise their human rights without any reprisals.”

Background

Colani Maseko was abducted by plain-clothed security officials from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on 31 January. He is currently being held at the Royal Eswatini Police Headquarters in Manzini.

His arrest has sparked a new wave of protests at the University of Eswatini’s Kwaluseni Main Campus and the Southern Africa Nazarene University Main Campus in Manzini. Sibusiso Nkwanyane was also arrested for attempting to record Maseko’s arrest on his phone, but later released.

Since May 2021, Eswatini has been rocked by pro-democracy protests following the mysterious death of 25-year-old law student Thabani Nkomonye, allegedly at the hands of the police.

Protesters are demanding political reforms and the protection of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

Political activism has been suppressed for years in the Kingdom of Eswatini, the last absolute monarchy on the African continent. The authorities have used repressive laws, including the 1938 Sedition and Subversive Activities Act (SSA Act) and the 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA), to silence critics.

The post Eswatini: Student activist arbitrarily detained, facing malicious charges must be released immediately appeared first on Amnesty International.

The two MPs have been detained at Mbabane police station since 25 July, about a month after pro-democracy protests began in Eswatini. Since May, over 80 people have been killed by security forces and many others arrested on suspicion of involvement in protests calling for political reforms in Africa’s last absolute monarchy.

The arrest and detention of MPs Mabuza and Dube is a travesty of justice. They have been held for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression and assembly

Deprose Muchena

“The arrest and detention of MPs Mabuza and Dube is a travesty of justice. They have been held for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression and assembly,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

“Mabuza and Dube must be immediately and unconditionally released, and the charges against them dropped. The authorities in Eswatini must respect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and allow for political activism to take place without fear of reprisals.”

Mabuza and Dube must be immediately and unconditionally released, and the charges against them dropped

Deprose Muchena

Earlier this month, a protester was left in a critical condition in hospital after being shot in the head by Eswatini security forces outside parliament during protests to deliver a petition to the US embassy. The petition was urging the United States to raise concerns about the MPs’ arrest and detention with the Eswatini authorities. Pro-democracy protests and anti-police violence marches continued across the country last week, resulting in the killing of another protester, Nhlanhla Kunene by security forces in Siteki. This sparked another wave of nationwide protests calling for the release of peaceful protesters, including the two MP’s. More than 1000 people have been arrested, including children in primary and secondary school who have since joined the movement calling for political reforms. In some instances, security forces have also assaulted school children who participated in the protests and have closed down schools.

In a recent speech, King Mswati III said that he was not prepared to negotiate with “dagga smokers” and drunkards, referring to pro-democracy protesters.

As protests continue to intensify, authorities have deployed security forces to crush dissent, closed schools indefinitely and instructed mobile telephone network companies to shut down the internet and social media platforms.

“Closing schools and shutting down the internet are arbitrary acts that are in clear contravention of human rights. Nothing will be resolved by further depriving people of their human rights, including their right to education and to freedom of expression,” said Deprose Muchena.

Authorities must urgently open dialogue with protesters and stop crushing dissent

Deprose Muchena

“Authorities must urgently open dialogue with protesters and stop crushing dissent. They must immediately release all peaceful protesters and those suspected of having organized the protests and those who have been arrested solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. If the authorities have any evidence of protesters who have committed a legitimate recognizable offence, they must ensure they are brought before courts of law in fair trials.”   

Background

MPs Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube were arrested on the evening of 25 July 2021 and have been in detention at Mbabane police station ever since. They face vaguely worded charges under the Suppression of Terrorism Act. Pro-democracy protests started in June 2021 in the Kingdom of Eswatini following the mysterious death of 25-year-old law student, Thabani Nkomonye. He allegedly died at the hands of the police.

Since the start of protests demanding political reforms, the government of Eswatini has launched a ruthless crackdown on human rights. Dozens of people have been killed and many others tortured, detained or abducted. Authorities have also ordered internet and telecommunications shutdowns, including by the King’s daughter, Princess Sikhanyiso, on 15 October for two hours to suppress freedom of expression.

The post Eswatini: Detained MPs must be immediately released and all charges against them dropped appeared first on Amnesty International.

It is shocking that someone who had merely been exercising their right to freedom of expression is now lying badly injured in a hospital bed

Deprose Muchena: Director for East and Southern Africa

“Thousands of peaceful protesters were violently dispersed, with security agents using live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas in Eswatini today. It is shocking that someone who had merely been exercising their right to freedom of expression is now lying badly injured in a hospital bed.

“The Eswatini authorities have shown no remorse nor restraint in their brutal response to peaceful protests in the country. Instead of listening to the genuine complaints of protesters, including their demands that activists are freed, human rights are protected and reforms undertaken, authorities have allowed this crackdown to continue. 

Authorities must launch a prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the shooting of protesters today and ensure that suspected perpetrators are brought to justice in fair trials

Deprose Muchena

“Authorities must launch a prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the shooting of protesters today and ensure that suspected perpetrators are brought to justice in fair trials. They must also allow people to freely exercise their human rights, ensure that excessive force is not used against protesters, and immediately stop their vicious campaign to crush dissent.”

Background

More than 10,000 people marched to the US embassy to deliver the petition in Eswatini today but were violently dispersed, with security agents using live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas, according to witness reports. The army was also deployed with soldiers seen setting up road  blocks to stop people from joining the protests.

MPs Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube were arrested on the evening of 25 July 2021 and have been in detention at Mbabane police station ever since. They face vaguely worded charges under the Suppression of Terrorism Act. “Pro-democracy” protests started in June in the Kingdom of Eswatini following the mysterious death of 25-year-old law student, Thabani Nkomonye. He allegedly died at the hands of the police.

Since the start of protests demanding political reforms, the government of Eswatini has launched a ruthless crackdown on human rights. Dozens of people have been killed and many others tortured, detained or abducted.

The post Eswatini: Authorities must investigate police shooting of a protester and stop excessive use of force appeared first on Amnesty International.

The charges against Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube are vague and an absolute fabrication and must be dropped. They have committed no crime and have been targeted by the government solely for their political views.

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Director for East and Southern Africa

“The charges against Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube are an absolute fabrication and must be dropped. They have committed no crime and have been targeted by the government solely for their political views.

“Both MPs are victims of a political witch-hunt which is designed to silence any voice that is demanding political reforms and human rights amid pro-democracy protests that have erupted in the country.

Eswatini authorities must stop targeting pro-democracy activists and listen to their genuine grievances and find a sustainable solution to the protests that have gripped the country

Deprose Muchena

“Eswatini authorities must stop targeting pro-democracy activists and listen to their genuine grievances and find a sustainable solution to the protests that have gripped the country. With pro-democracy protests continuing, authorities must exercise restraint. All peaceful political activists arrested in the context of the pro-democracy protests must be released.”

Background

The two MP’s were arrested on the evening of 25 July 2021 and have been in detention at Mbabane police station after the country experienced sustained “pro-democracy” protests. The charges against the two have been vaguely defined as having committed the crime of “Suppression of Terrorism Act”, without specific charges being laid out. “Pro-democracy” protests started in June in the Kingdom of Eswatini following the mysterious death of 25-year-old law student, Thabani Nkomonye. He allegedly died at the hands of the police.

Since the start of protests demanding political reforms the government of Eswatini has launched a ruthless crackdown on human rights. Dozens have been killed and many others tortured, detained or abducted.

Journalists, human rights defenders and political activists have been jailed under repressive laws, including the 1938 Sedition and Subversive Activities Act (SSA Act) and the 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA), simply for speaking out against the repression of dissent.

Political activism has been suppressed for years in the Kingdom of Eswatini, where King Mswati III, rules as Africa’s last absolute monarch.

The post Eswatini: Authorities must drop trumped-up charges against MP’s and release them immediately and unconditionally appeared first on Amnesty International.

The protests unfolding across Eswatini are a result of years of denial of political, economic and social right to the people, including young people, and recent escalation of suppression of dissent by the authorities

Deprose Muchena, Director for East and Southern Africa

“The protests unfolding across Eswatini are a result of years of denial of political, economic and social right to the people, including young people, and recent escalation of suppression of dissent by the authorities. Defending human rights and expressing critical views have been criminalized, and authorities have systematically crushed freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

“Protesters, and particularly youth, from all four regions within Eswatini are now taking to the streets to demand political reforms, and the authorities must ensure that people are able to express their grievances without fear of intimidation or abuse. There are reports that security forces have shot dead at least one protester and critically injured seven protestors. Authorities must launch a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into these reports and ensure that all those responsible, including those with command responsibility, are brought to justice in fair trials.”

There are reports that security forces have shot dead at least one protester and critically injured seven protestors. Authorities must launch a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into these reports and ensure that all those responsible, including those with command responsibility, are brought to justice in fair trials.

Deprose Muchena

Background

“Pro-democracy” protests started last month in the Kingdom of Eswatini following the mysterious death of 25-year-old law student, Thabani Nkomonye, allegedly at the hands of the police. Spearheaded by the youth, protesters are demanding political reforms.

Political activism has been suppressed for years in the Kingdom of Eswatini, the last absolute monarch on the African continent, with authorities using repressive laws, including the 1938 Sedition and Subversive Activities Act (SSA Act) and the 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA) as a tactic to silence critics. Journalists, human right defenders and political activists have been jailed simply for speaking out against this repression of dissent.

The post Eswatini: Right to protest must be respected appeared first on Amnesty International.

From Angola to Lesotho to Zimbabwe, people have been subjected to excessive use of force by the police for standing up for their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly

Deprose Muchena

“From Angola to Lesotho to Zimbabwe, people have been subjected to excessive use of force by the police for standing up for their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Conflict in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado region has led to abductions, arbitrary detention and other violations,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

“We have also seen the deep economic inequalities and social injustices that have been exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s time for SADC lawmakers to step up their interventions, strengthen laws and implement policies that ensure respect for people’s rights across the region.”

Enhancing the role of parliaments in the protection and promotion of human rights in SADC member states will be the focus of a webinar Amnesty International is jointly hosting with the SADC Parliamentary Forum on 7 December. The webinar will offer vital guidance to SADC policymakers and non-state actors on how to collaborate effectively to tackle key human rights issues across the region.

Conflict and human rights violations

The human rights situation in Mozambique has deteriorated since fighting began more than three years ago in Cabo Delgado province, by an armed group calling itself “Al-Shabaab”. The conflict has killed more than 2,000 people and violent attacks by the armed group grew by 300% in the first four months of 2020, compared to the same period last year.

It’s time for SADC lawmakers to step up their interventions, strengthen laws and implement policies that ensure respect for people’s rights across the region

Deprose Muchena

Mozambican armed forces have been accused of crimes under international law and human rights violations in pursuit of those suspected of being involved with the armed group, including extrajudicial executions, torture and other ill-treatment.

“Until now, the victims of the conflict in Cabo Delgado are no closer to justice, truth and reparation. Mozambican authorities have failed to bring to justice all those suspected of crimes under international law and human rights violations,” said Deprose Muchena.

Freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly

The rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly have increasingly come under attack in countries where people have demanded more accountability from their governments, including Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

In Lesotho, dozens of youth activists were subjected to police brutality in November, after they led a peaceful demonstration demanding more economic opportunities and employment. Eleven of them were arrested and charged with illegal gathering and disruption of peace.

The group is scheduled to appear in court on 14 December. Authorities must immediately drop the charges against the youth activists, who were arrested solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

As COVID-19 continued to spread across Southern Africa, governments have been targeting journalists and media houses that are critical of their handling of the pandemic, From Madagascar to Zambia, governments have been criminalizing journalists and shutting down media outlets that are perceived to be calling out poor government responses to COVID-19.

In Zambia, authorities shut down the independent television news channel, Prime TV, on 9 April after cancelling its broadcasting license. The cancellation came after the alleged refusal by the station to air the government’s COVID-19 public awareness campaigns because the station was owed money for airing previous state advertisements different to public awareness. Prime TV, as an independent station, depends on advertising revenue to pay the salaries of its staff and operational costs. 

In Eswatini, police detained Eugen Dube, journalist and editor of Swati Newsweek Online, for seven hours on 23 April. The detention followed an article he wrote that the King’s public health strategy in the face of COVID-19 was reckless because the country had no social distancing measures in place.

Authorities reportedly tried to charge him for ‘writing ill’ about King Mswati III which could constitute high treason.

Socio-economic rights

As COVID-19 spread, millions of people across Southern Africa faced hunger as lockdowns meant that they were unable to access food.

The vast majority of people in the region make their living in the informal economy, for example as street vendors or manual labourers. Under lockdown measures, these were considered “non-essential” roles and people in this sector were prohibited from working.

As the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 persist, Amnesty International is calling on governments to urgently put in place social protection measures to uphold the right to food, such as food subsidies, or directly provide food to those who are unable to provide it for themselves. 

SADC member states must also enact and implement laws and policies that promote justice and equality, including ensuring access to employment and social services especially health, education, water, sanitation and food in line with regional constitutional and international human rights standards.

Parliaments are the custodians of human rights. As people across the region face threats to their rights, SADC Parliaments must lead in developing regional principles and guidelines for the protection and promotion of human rights

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Director for East and Southern Africa

“Parliaments are the custodians of human rights. As people across the region face threats to their rights,  SADC Parliaments must lead in developing regional principles and guidelines for the protection and promotion of human rights,” said Deprose Muchena.

Background

Amnesty International and the SADC Parliamentary Forum will co-host a webinar on 7 December to discuss the role of parliaments in enhancing the protection and promotion of human rights in SADC. The webinar also seeks to identify ways for strengthening cooperation between parliaments and non-state actors to make human rights a reality for all in southern Africa.

The Session will be attended by members of the SADC PF Standing Committee on Democratization, Governance and Human Rights and stakeholders drawn from state and non-state human rights actors, civil society, media and technical partners in SADC.

Journalists who want to attend the webinar must click here to register ahead of the event.

The post Southern Africa: SADC lawmakers must strengthen laws to respond to human rights threats appeared first on Amnesty International.

 The SADC Heads of State and Government Summit takes place on 17 August.

“A number of countries in the SADC region are experiencing alarming human rights violations and abuses threatening peace and stability and hindering the response to COVID-19. In Zimbabwe, authorities have stepped up a crackdown on dissenting voices with state security forces unleashed on activists, human rights defenders, journalists and opposition supporters,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

“COVID-19 has exposed the fragilities of the regional economy. In the absence of adequate social protection millions of people employed in the informal economy and those who lost their jobs are facing starvation and destitution, and protecting their lives and other human rights must be top of the agenda at the SADC summit.”

COVID-19

This year’s SADC summit takes place amid surging rates of COVID-19 infections across the region taking a huge socio-economic toll as well as on health. Much of the region’s population lives in the margins of the mainstream economy, with no regular income nor guaranteed livelihoods. Poor health infrastructure in countries even in larger economies such as South Africa means that the poor and marginalized are at greater risk of dying from COVID-19 related complications due to lack of access to appropriate health care and treatment. South Africa has more than 500,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and regional leaders must use the summit to ramp up their public health response strategy, by rolling out rigorous testing and strengthening case management.

At the same time the region desperately needs financial help. A number of countries in and outside of the SADC region have approached multilateral lenders, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, African Development Bank and other lenders for emergency financial assistance. These include Lesotho, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Amnesty International is calling for debt cancellation for the world’s poorest countries for at least the next two years, to free up resources for countries to respond to the pandemic. This must be coupled with robust transparency and accountability mechanisms in all donor and recipient countries, to ensure that the money freed up is not lost to corruption or wasteful expenditure. 

Crackdown on peaceful dissent

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the region in early March, several countries have declared states of emergency and disaster or taken exceptional measures to curb the spread of the disease. Amnesty International has documented an escalation of violations and abuses of human rights across the region, including intensified crackdowns on peaceful dissent.

In Zimbabwe there has been a renewed assault on human rights including the right to freedom of expression in recent months, especially targeting journalists, activists and human rights defenders who have spoken out against alleged corruption and called for peaceful protests. Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume are currently incarcerated at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, after they were arrested on 20 July. Several attempts by their lawyers to secure them bail have been refused. Both have been charged with “inciting the public” – Hopewell for exposing allegations of corruption and Jacob for calling for peaceful anti-corruption protests.

Two weeks ago, Zimbabwean authorities thwarted a nationwide peaceful anti-corruption protest which was planned for 31 July, and launched a witch-hunt against political and human rights activists they suspected of planning it. Several activists and opposition supporters were also arrested, including renowned writer Tsitsi Dangarembga and opposition spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere. Others were abducted by state agents for being suspected of supporting the national protests.

In Madagascar, former Minister of Communication Harry Laurent Rahajason was detained on 16 July on charges of undermining state security, after he was arrested for organizing and funding a protest against the abuse of pre-trial detention in the country. Rahajason is also known for his past journalism work. The protest, which was banned due to the state of emergency, called for the release of a student leader, Berija Ravelomanantsoa, who has been in pre-trial detention since 8 June.

In Eswatini, police detained Eugen Dube, journalist and editor of Swati Newsweek Online, for seven hours on 23 April. The detention followed the publication of an article in which Eugen criticized King Mswati III for not putting in place social distancing measures, describing the strategy as “reckless”. 

Authorities reportedly tried to charge Eugene Dube for ‘writing ill’ about the King, which could constitute high treason. It is not clear if the authorities are pressing ahead with the case. 

Gender-based violence

The COVID-19 pandemic has also heightened the threat posed to women and girls in the region including by sexual and gender-based violence. Confinement due to stay-at-home orders and lockdowns has left many women and girls exposed to domestic violence, sexual, economic, psychological and other forms of abuse by partners and family members. Many women in the region live in poverty, which forces them to stay with their abusers for fear of losing their livelihoods. Police and NGOs have recorded an alarming increase in cases of gender-based violence since lockdown regimes were introduced in early March.

“SADC leaders have a responsibility to address the human rights crisis which is unfolding across the region, including by allowing people to freely exercise their human rights and strengthening protections for women and girls’ rights.” said Deprose Muchena.

“If they fail to take steps to protect the most vulnerable, they will be betraying the SADC’s founding principles, which obligate their governments to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of everyone,”

Background

This year’s SADC Heads of State and Government Summit takes place on 17 August. It marks 40 years since the formation of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference, which later became the SADC in 1992.

The virtual conference takes place under the theme “40 Years Building Peace and Security, Promoting Development and Resilience to face global challenges”.

The post SADC: Regional leaders must fix the deteriorating human rights situation across the region appeared first on Amnesty International.

The one million figure is a grim reality for the African continent, and one that must spur urgent action from regional and international institutions and leaders alike

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Director for East and Southern Africa

South Africa is the worst hit country, with 500,000 confirmed cases.

“The one million figure is a grim reality for the African continent, and one that must spur urgent action from regional and international institutions and leaders alike. Transparency, testing, treatment and containment measures all need to be urgently improved,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa.

We are concerned that in some countries, including South Africa which accounts for half of confirmed cases in Africa, test results are taking a dangerously long time to be released

Deprose Muchena

“We are concerned that in some countries, including South Africa which accounts for half of confirmed cases in Africa, test results are taking a dangerously long time to be released. Testing capacity must be significantly improved and strengthened, to ensure that people who may have COVID-19 receive adequate health care and that they are not unwittingly passing on the virus.”

According to the African Union’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is currently at 1,007,366, while 22,066 deaths have been registered. The number of recoveries is at 690,436. However, experts have warned that these numbers could be a significant underestimate, owing to a lack of testing capacity across the continent, with some countries not having enough resources to conduct tests. Other barriers such as poor infrastructure, including roads and the lack of enough hospitals and healthcare workers have been cited as hampering the fight against COVID-19.

With cases increasing sharply, it is important for countries to work together through regional and international cooperation to ensure that human rights, including the right to health, are guaranteed for all people across Africa

Deprose Muchena

“With cases increasing sharply, it is important for countries to work together through regional and international cooperation to ensure that human rights, including the right to health, are guaranteed for all people across Africa. This collaboration should include greater transparency and accountability by governments to establish the true magnitude of the pandemic and the appropriate response, to turn the tide on this crisis,” Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Director for West and Central Africa.

“There is also a need for increased transparency and accountability around the use of financial resources amid reports of corruption and mismanagement of resources allocated for COVID-19. Countries must also strengthen health systems as they continue to respond to the mounting cases.”

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We know marginalized groups have greater difficulty exercising their human rights, including accessing healthcare and livelihoods in normal times. They are so much more vulnerable during a pandemic

Tigere Chagutah, Deputy Director for Southern Africa

The organization is also concerned that persons with albinism are at increased risk of attacks for their body parts during the lockdowns because they are locked down in insecure homes and communities with suspected perpetrators.

“Governments across Southern Africa must pay special attention to persons with albinism who are being left further behind in the wake of lockdown measures to curb the virus,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Southern Africa.

“We know marginalized groups have greater difficulty exercising their human rights, including accessing healthcare and livelihoods in normal times. They are so much more vulnerable during a pandemic.”

Governments across the region have introduced a number of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, including lockdowns and curfews. While these lockdown measures are being relaxed in some countries, they remain tight in other countries making it difficult for people to move around freely. Shops have been shut, public transport reduced, and specialized health services cut off in many places.

As a result, persons with albinism are struggling to access healthcare facilities for skin cancer testing and treatment, get treatment for visual impairments or buy sunscreen lotion, which is not always readily available particularly in rural areas.

Albinism is an inherited genetic condition that prevents the body from making enough colour, or melanin, to protect the skin from the sun. Due to their skin sensitivity to light and sun exposure, persons with albinism are likely to suffer from sunburn leading to skin cancer and other skin-related conditions. Therefore, they require sunscreen and other remedies to protect them, something those living in poverty cannot afford without government assistance.

Governments have provided food aid and stimulus packages to help people cope with the pandemic. However, Amnesty International has found that persons with albinism are often excluded from accessing state aid, such as social grants, in some countries due to access criterion that does not view their condition as a disability.

For example, in Malawi, the organization has found that persons with albinism were often excluded from registering for government poverty alleviation programmes simply because of their condition.

One woman told Amnesty International that when she tried to register for the Social Cash Transfer programme, she was told by traditional leaders charged with registering people for the programme that persons with albinism were ineligible.  The woman should have been registered like others to receive social support.

Authorities must ensure that measures to respond to COVID-19 are inclusive of the specific needs of persons with albinism, including provision of sunscreen lotions

Deprose Muchena

“Authorities must ensure that measures to respond to COVID-19 are inclusive of the specific needs of persons with albinism, including provision of sunscreen lotions, enabling access to information, increasing community policing and improving access to social protection in order to maintain their health, safety, dignity, and independence during and post the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tigere Chagutah.

Background

Persons with Albinism endure structural and systematic discrimination across southern Africa. They continue to live in fear for their lives, as they are actively hunted and killed for their body parts in many countries across the region. Graves of those that have died are often tampered with and their remains stolen.

Approximately 151 persons with albinism have been killed in countries such as Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia since 2014 for their body parts.

The latest murder was the brutal killing of a 43-year-old carpenter and father of three, Emmanuel Phiri in Zambia on 25 March.

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