Thread by @dewamavhinga

🇸🇿 A thread on the Eswatini crisis: 1/22 The 🇸🇿 Gvt should ensure accountability for their security forces’ crackdown on protesters since June 2021 @PhiwaNk @Swazijforum @Sophie_Mokoena @Newzroom405 @SABCNews @SADC_News @DIRCO_ZA @eNCA @POWER987News @hrw hrw.org/news/2021/11/0…

2/22 Despite concerns, by the UN Rights Office, that Eswatini security forces used live ammunition & engaged in “disproportionate & unnecessary use of force,” as far as @hrw has been able to determine, no member of the security forces has been held accountable.

3/22 A report by the Eswatini Commission on Human Rights says that at least 46 people died during the June protests; 245 people had gunshot injuries; 22 people multiple gunshot injuries; & 118 people had unspecified injuries.

4/22 Victims told the Eswatini Human Rights Commission @HumanRights_SZ that they were shot by members of the Eswatini armed forces. @stacky_t @UKinEswatini @EUinEswatini @USEmbEswatini @UEswatini @ohchr_sa

5/22 the #Eswatiniprotests have continued, together with reports of excessive use of force by Eswatini security forces, Human Rights Watch found. @MuziMasuku @maseko_r @OSISA @salo_info

6/22 The Eswatini government should urgently agree to an independent, international investigation into all of the killings and any other human rights violations resulting from excessive use of force.

7/22 A public transport driver told Human Rights Watch that on the same day, he was shot in the legs by a uniformed member of the police at point blank range in Mbabane. The driver was not involved in the protests.

8/22 Human Rights Watch spoke to a 17-year-old student who said the police shot him in October causing severe injuries that left him paralyzed. No arrests have been made in relation to these shootings.

9/22 The @HumanRights_SZ Commission urged the 🇸🇿 gvt to “initiate an independent, thorough, credible, transparent & impartial investigation by experts with relevant skills & knowledge into allegations of human rights violations & abuses & to bring those responsible to justice.”

10/22 The Commission also called on the gvt to “ensure the full exercise of the right to peaceful assembly and protest, in accordance with the Eswatini’s Constitution & international obligations.

11/22 The Commission urged the Gvt to use all appropriate means to ensure that rights to peaceful protest can be exercised freely and securely, including by making sure that the safety of demonstrators is guaranteed.

12/22 International human rights law, including as set out in the African Charter on Human & Peoples’ Rights, guarantees the rights to freedom of expression & assembly, & prohibits excessive use of force by state officials.

13/22 As spelled out by the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms, security forces may use force only in proportion to the seriousness of the offense, and the intentional use of lethal force is permitted only when strictly unavoidable to protect life.

14/22 The Eswatini Minister of ICT & the daughter of King Mswati III, Princess Sikhanyiso, denied that the Eswatini security forces used excessive force & alleged that mercenaries invaded the country in uniform masquerading as the country’s soldiers & police to kill the people.

15/22 However, the Eswatini Commission on Human Rights found no evidence to substantiate Princess Sikhanyiso’s claims and there are no recorded arrests of any mercenaries in Eswatini.

16/22 The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which deployed special envoys to Eswatini in October, said on October 23 that King Mswati, Africa’s last absolute monarch had agreed to national dialogue following the protests.

17/22 Justice and accountability for security forces violations should be central to any dialogue process.

18/22 Several activists told Human Rights Watch in telephone interviews in October that they were disappointed with SADC efforts in Eswatini.

19/22 They said that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights should press for access to Eswatini for independent international observers to assess the human rights situation.

20/22 Some local activists said that neighboring countries should exert targeted pressure on the king and other Eswatini authorities to allow a full investigation and accountability for the attacks on protesters or face regional isolation or other sanctions.

21/22 Neighbors & the international community should not ignore the festering Eswatini crisis

22/22 Targeted & effective regional pressure is needed to press Eswatini to address justice, accountability, & respect for the human rights of all Eswatini people.

Without decisive steps to punish security forces using excessive against protesters, the abuses will continue. Now is the time to act to protect lives & ensure justice.