Release SWAYOCO President, Ncamiso Mabuyakhulu
The Socialist International (SI) expresses great concern about the deteriorating political situation in Swaziland (eSwatini) and the brutal violation of human rights against the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) by the regime of King Mswati.
Recently the president of the socialist youth organization SWAYOCO, Ncamiso Mabuyakhulu and activist, Philani Sihlongonyane got arrested. The right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly of the people of Swaziland must be respected.
The socialist youth organization SWAYOCO has been mobilizing youth to demand a democratic political system, that fights to improve socio-economic conditions.
The activists operate under a brutal regime that has plundered the peoples resources for itself. The majority of the Swazi population lives in poverty, there are a lack of jobs and proper health care in a time of HIV crisis and food insecurity. In the meantime, the king is one of the richest monarchies of the world.
The SI calls for the democratization and the establishment of the rule of law in Swaziland. The people of Swaziland have been denied their freedom and their rights for too long, since political parties were banned in 1973 by the monarchy. The absolute monarchy run by King Mswati does not espouse the values of freedom, human rights which we as SI cherish so much.
The SI condemns the excessive use of force, including torture by the Swazi security, considering torture being banned under the International Convention Against Torture of 1984.
SI calls for the immediate release of Mabuyakhulu, Sihlongonyane and other political prisoners languishing in Swazi prisons.
SI calls on the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of Swaziland and support their legitimate fight for freedom and justice.
SI calls upon international bodies SADC, AU and UN to take decisive actions against the Swazi regime, since the legitimate fight for social justice and freedom in Swaziland should never be criminalized.