Swaziland: An atmosphere of intimidation: Counter-terrorism legislation used to silence dissent in Swaziland

Swaziland: An atmosphere of intimidation: Counter-terrorism legislation used to silence dissent in Swaziland

The Suppression of Terrorism Act (STA), which was signed into law in August 2008, gravely threatens freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, rights which were already compromised under Swaziland’s legal system. The new law’s sweeping and imprecise provisions render a wide range of organizations and individuals who are critical of the government potentially open to prosecution. In this document Amnesty International urges the Government of Swaziland to amend the STA and to state that the STA will not be used against human rights activists.