Trade Union Congress of Namibia, has joined the nine national unions representing working people in countries on the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group by demanding the suspension of Eswatini for its serious violations of human rights and the continued suspension of democracy.
A statement issued on Monday by TUCNA Secretary-General, Mahongora Kavihuha, indicated that since June this year, eSwatini workers have been demanding to have their democratic rights recognised by their government. “Currently, political parties are prohibited and trade unions are oppressed in Eswatini. The protests that started on 26 June 2021 were caused by the Eswatini government’s decision to ban the delivery of petitions by protesters. The petitioners were demanding a constitutionally established democracy in which the people elect their government representatives in full freedom,” he said.
According to Kavihuha, Eswatini security forces continue to use brutal force against citizens who are conducting their lawful business or engaging in peaceful protests.
In a report commissioned by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in conjunction with TUCOSWA (the union movement of Eswatini) titled; ‘’Holding eSwatini to Account’, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, unions from Australia, Barbados, Belize, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Namibia, Samoa and the United Kingdom are demanding that Eswatini be suspended from the Commonwealth for its serial breaches of the Commonwealth Charter.
The unions also demand that Eswatini undertake a constitutional review in an all-inclusive and consultative process that involves civil society actors and political parties to establish a Law Reform Commission to embark on a law reform exercise.
They also demand the removal of all legislative and practical restrictions on political parties to contest democratic multiparty elections and enact legislation to allow for the recognition, registration and operation of political parties.
Furthermore, the unions advised that the country enact enabling legislation for the establishment of an independent and impartial Commission of Human Rights to undertake activities in the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, in accordance with the Paris Principles, while also adopting measures to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
