Eswatini (Swaziland)

Country Profile

There were notable changes in the human rights situation in Eswatini during the year. The killing in January of Thulani Maseko, a leading human rights activist by unknown gunmen, heightened fears among other activists that the government had embarked on a campaign to silence dissent. Several activists subsequently fled the country.

Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings; torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government; serious problems with the independence of the judiciary; political prisoners or detainees; transnational repression against individuals in another country; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including censorship; substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association; serious and unreasonable restrictions on political participation; serious government restrictions on or harassment of domestic and international human rights organizations; extensive gender-based violence, including domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual violence, workplace violence, and child, early, and forced marriage; trafficking in persons; significant restrictions on workers’ freedom of association, including threats against labor activists; and the existence of the worst forms of child labor.

The government did not take credible steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses. Unidentified opposition elements claimed credit for inspiring and conducting violent crimes throughout the country including targeted killings of security personnel and traditional leaders. The government referred to members of these groups as “terrorists” and investigated their activities. The government made five arrests with prosecutions pending at year’s end.

Cases

Released

Thulani Maseko

Bhekithemba Makhubu

For Further Reference

Full U.S. Department of State Human Rights Country Report
U.S. Department of State International Religious Freedom Country Report
U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report Country Narrative
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review
Human Rights Watch World Report Country Chapter
Amnesty International Annual Report Country Chapter
Freedom House Freedom in the World Country Report

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