Civic space was severely restricted. Authorities used broad provisions under anti-terror legislation and prolonged detention to punish their critics. A bilateral agreement with the US government resulted in the arbitrary detention of third-country nationals, who faced possible refoulement. Police disrupted an opposition party meeting. There was no accountability for the extrajudicial killing of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko nor for past protest-related abuses. Although gender-based violence was a major concern for many people, protection and support for survivors remained limited.
Read MoreRetains the death penalty in law, but hasn’t executed for at least 10 years
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