In a joint resolution by The Left, Greens/EFA, S&D, EPP, Renew Europe and ECR Groups, adopted by a show of hands on Thursday 16 February, the European Parliament strongly condemns the assassination in Eswatini of prominent human rights and trade union lawyer Thulani Maseko and calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners, in particular MPs Mthandeni Dube and Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza.
Mr Maseko was murdered in his home in January 2023, “just hours after King Mswati III made threats against members of Eswatini’s pro-democracy movement”, the resolution said.
Parliament condemns the widespread human rights violations in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and calls for a thorough and independent investigation into the harassment, violence and pressure exerted on other pro-democracy and human rights activists as well as into the alleged recruitment of mercenaries to assist the country’s security forces in suppressing the opposition.
It urges the authorities in Eswatini to respect human rights and to allow the Eswatini people to exercise their civil and political rights.
MEPs call on the EU to review and, if necessary, suspend country support programmes where there is a risk that funds will be used for activities that violate human rights (Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and the ACP).
The resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/5db (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)