Amnesty International has designated two imprisoned Eswatini lawmakers as prisoners of conscience, calling for their immediate and unconditional release four years after their arrest for advocating peaceful political reform.
Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube were detained on 25 July 2021 following public calls for constitutional change and legal reforms in Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
They were later convicted under the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008 and the Sedition and Subversive Activities Act of 1938, statutes widely criticised for vague definitions and their chilling effect on free expression.
in July 2024, the High Court sentenced Mabuza to 85 years and Dube to 58 years in prison.
“The imprisonment of MPs simply for speaking out is a red line that must never be crossed,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty regional director for East and Southern Africa.
“Their continued arbitrary detention shows Eswatini’s deepening climate of repression and misuse of the justice system to punish those who dare criticise the government.”
Amnesty’s designation affirms that the MPs were jailed solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and political participation.
The organisation urged Eswatini authorities to quash the convictions, repeal laws that criminalise dissent, and bring national legislation in line with international human rights standards.
JN/APA