NEW YORK (Aug. 28, 2024) — On Monday, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted a petition to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) on behalf of former Swazi lawmakers Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, who were sentenced to heavy prison terms for their pro-democracy advocacy.
On July 15, Swaziland’s High Court ordered a 25-year prison term for Mabuza and 18 years for Dube based on trumped-up charges of terrorism and murder. The charges resulted from the two former lawmakers’ 2021 public speeches calling for a democratic election of the country’s prime minister, measures against corruption, and encouraging citizens to exercise their constitutional rights. Mazuba and Dube were accused of sparking deadly riots with their peaceful speeches, which did not advocate for riots or violence.
Since May 2021, Swaziland (changed to Eswatini in 2018) has faced growing calls for democratic reform, challenging King Mswati III’s 35-year autocratic rule. Protests demanding political changes were met with violent suppression. The country’s electoral system silences opposition, allowing the king to maintain absolute control over government and laws. This unchecked power has led to corruption and inequality, with royal opulence in stark contrast to widespread poverty amongst most of the country’s 1.1 million citizens. Amid these protests, Mabuza and Dube emerged as advocates for systemic change, pushing against a governance structure that stifles dissent and democratic progress.
“Mabuza and Dube should not have been detained in the first place. Further, their nearly three-year pretrial detention was tainted by restricted access to legal assistance, physical violence, and periods of solitary confinement. Their ordeal culminated in baseless and excessive sentences, in a blatant attempt to crush political opposition and silence pro-democracy voices,” HRF Senior Legal Associate Venla Stang said.
In its petition, HRF calls on the UNWGAD to investigate the cases of Mabuza and Dube, declare their detention arbitrary under international law, and request that Swazi officials release them immediately and unconditionally. HRF further urges the international community to increase pressure on the Swazi regime to enact democratic reforms, respect fundamental human rights, and cease its unrelenting crackdown on dissent.
“The case raises serious questions about the Swazi judiciary’s integrity and its ability to protect citizens’ rights against executive overreach. As families suffer and public trust wanes, we must urgently explore international avenues for justice. We cannot allow violators to rest easy while their victims languish in prison,” Mzwandile Masuku, a member of Mabuza and Dube’s domestic legal team, said.
Supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation.
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies.
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