Swaziland: Further information on fear for safety / legal concern / prisoners of conscience
Simon Noge, Secretary of Human Rights Association of Swaziland (HUMARAS) and Chair of Swaziland Democratic Alliance (SDA); Jan Sithole, Secretary General of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU); Jabulani Nxumalo, SFTU Deputy Secretary General; Richard Nxumalo, SFTU President; Themba Msibi, SFTU Vice-President; and other SFTU officials and members: Simon Noge was released from police custody on 6 February without charge. Jan Sithole and his three colleagues remain in prison awaiting trial.
EXTERNAL AI Index: AFR 55/02/97
10 February 1997
Further information on UA 41/97 (AFR 55/01/97, 5 February 1997) - Fear for
safety / Legal concern / Prisoners of conscience
SWAZILAND-Simon Noge, Secretary, Human Rights Association of Swaziland
(HUMARAS) and Chair, Swaziland Democratic Alliance (SDA)
-Jan Sithole, Secretary General of the Swaziland
Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU)
-Jabulani Nxumalo, SFTU Deputy Secretary General
-Richard Nxumalo, SFTU President
-Themba Msibi, SFTU Vice-President
-and other SFTU officials and members
Simon Noge was released from police custody on the afternoon of 6 February
without charge. He was not ill-treated during his detention at Manzini police
station, although he was held overnight in poor conditions in a crowded cell.
Jan Sithole and his three colleagues remain in prison awaiting trial.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express or airmail
letters in English or in your own language:
- welcoming the release of Simon Noge from police custody, but expressing concern
at the conduct of the police who had arrested him without warrant or charge
in the early hours of 5 February;
- expressing concern that Jan Sithole, Richard Nxumalo, Jabulani Nxumalo and
Themba Msibi, all senior officials of the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions,
are being held at Matsapha Prison after being charged with a non-bailable
offence, apparently for the sole purpose of preventing them from conducting
their trade union activities, and calling for their immediate and unconditional
release;
- calling for a full investigation into allegations that police and military
officers allegedly assaulted 23 or more trade unionists as they left a meeting
on 3 February, and held them illegally for interrogation for several hours;
- urging that internationally accepted rights of non-violent freedom of
expression and assembly are fully respected.
APPEALS TO:
His Majesty King Mswati lll
King of Swaziland
P O Box 1
Lobamba SWAZILAND
Fax: +268 84468
Telegrams: H.M.King Mswati, Lobamba, Swaziland
Salutation: Your Majesty
Dr B S Dlamini
Prime Minister of Swaziland
Prime Minister's Office
P O Box 395
Mbabane, SWAZILAND
Fax: +268 43943
Telegrams: Prime Minister Dlamini, Mbabane, Swaziland
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
2
COPIES TO:
- Human Rights Association of Swaziland, PO Box 1546, Mbabane, Swaziland
- Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions, Headquarters, PO Box 1158, Manzini,
Swaziland
- The Editor, Times of Swaziland, PO Box 156, Mbabane, Swaziland
and to diplomatic representatives of Swaziland accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 24 March 1997.