Swaziland: ICJ condemns the harsh prison term imposed on Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu
The ICJ condemned today the sentence imposed on Thulani Rudolph Maseko and Bheki Makhubu following their conviction on two counts of contempt of court
The ICJ condemned today the sentence imposed on Thulani Rudolph Maseko and Bheki Makhubu following their conviction on two counts of contempt of court
The ICJ is appalled by the decision of the High Court in Swaziland to convict Thulani Rudolph Maseko and Bheki Makhubu on contempt of court charges.
On 22 and 23 April 2014 Swazi women’s rights organizations and human rights defenders participated in a workshop on women’s human rights organised by the ICJ and Swazi partners in Mbabane.
Participants discussed a range of issues including gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, customary law and constitutional protection for gender equality.
The workshop was designed to assist and facilitate civil society engagement in the forthcoming review by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (the Committee) of Swaziland’s implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Swaziland ratified CEDAW in 2004.
In July 2014 the country’s combined first and second report under the Convention will be reviewed by the Committee which will issue recommendations as to how Swaziland can improve its implementation of the Convention.
On Tuesday 22 April 2014 Judge Mpendulo Simelane began hearing evidence in the High Court in Swaziland in the trial of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and journalist Bheki Makhubu for contempt of court.
The ICJ is gravely concerned at reports that fresh arrest warrants have been issued for human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and journalist Bheki Makhubu following efforts by the court to have them remanded in custody.
The Judicial Service Commission of Zimbabwe and the ICJ are holding a first-term symposium for Judges from Zimbabwe at Elephant Hills, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe on 4-5 April 2014.