Eswatini MPs Prisoners of Conscience Amnesty International
Amnesty International Declares Eswatini MPs Prisoners of Conscience Amid Deepening Repression
Table of Contents
Eswatini’s Parliamentarians Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube Recognized for Peaceful Advocacy
Amnesty International has officially designated Eswatini Members of Parliament Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube as prisoners of conscience, marking four years since their imprisonment for peacefully exercising their essential rights to freedom of expression, association, and political participation. This designation underscores the organization’s stance that the MPs should never have been arrested or convicted.
Eswatini’s Crackdown on Dissent: A Growing Concern
The imprisonment of Mabuza and Dube highlights a disturbing trend of intolerance towards peaceful dissent within Eswatini. Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, stated, “By designating Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube as prisoners of conscience, Amnesty International affirms that they should never have been arrested in the first place.”
Chagutah further emphasized the gravity of the situation: “Their continued arbitrary detention shows Eswatini’s deepening climate of repression and misuse of the justice system to punish those who dare criticize the government.” Amnesty International has repeatedly voiced concerns about the Eswatini authorities’ increasing intolerance, which includes the arbitrary detention, harassment, and prosecution of activists, opposition leaders, and pro-democracy campaigners.
The Case Against Mabuza and Dube: A Violation of Human Rights
Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube were arrested on July 25,2021,following their vocal support for legal reforms and calls for constitutional change in Eswatini.They were subsequently convicted on charges widely criticized for their vagueness and their chilling effect on human rights, including the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008 and the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act of 1938.
On July 31, 2024, the High Court of Eswatini handed down sentences of 85 years for Mabuza and 58 years for Dube. Amnesty International argues that these convictions and sentences are unjust, stemming from the MPs’ peaceful exercise of their rights.
Understanding “prisoner of Conscience”
Amnesty International’s designation of a “prisoner of conscience” applies to individuals who are imprisoned or or else physically restricted due to their beliefs, origin, or other personal status, provided they have not used or advocated violence. This definition clearly encompasses the situation of Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, whose activism has been rooted in peaceful advocacy for democratic reforms.
The organization is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the MPs,urging the Eswatini authorities to quash their convictions and sentences. Moreover, Amnesty International demands the repeal or amendment of legislation that criminalizes human rights and political activism, ensuring alignment with international human rights standards. The continued detention of these parliamentarians serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for human rights reform in Eswatini.