Prominent eSwatini Rights Lawyer Maseko Killed in 'Cold Blood'
Messages of condolences and condemnation have been streaming in for human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, who was murdered outside his home in eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, by unknown assailants. The human rights lawyer chaired the Multi-Stakeholders Forum (MSF), a collaboration of political parties and civil society groups working to amplify calls for democratic reforms.
Maseko was also a columnist who had a pending court battle with King Mswati III over the move to rename the country Eswatini by decree. In April 2018, King Mswati changed the country's name when it held its golden jubilee.
In 2014, Maseko was sentenced to two years in prison, with the editor of news magazine The Nation, Bheki Makhubu, for contempt of court over articles critical of the government and judiciary.
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Eswatini:
'He Slept, Breathed, Ate and Walked Human Rights' - Centre for Human Rights Remembers Thulani Maseko
Centre for Human Rights, 25 January 2023
Thulani Rudolf Maseko (1 March 1970 - 21 January 2023) Read more »
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Eswatini:
UN Rights Chief Condemns 'Cold-Blooded Killing' of Eswatini Human Rights Lawyer
UN News, 23 January 2023
Authorities in Eswatini must launch a probe into the killing of a prominent human rights lawyer gunned down this past weekend, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker… Read more »
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South Africa:
Cosatu Mourns the Cold-Blooded Assassination of Heroic Swazi Activist - Comrade Thulani Maseko
COSATU, 23 January 2023
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is deeply saddened by the passing of the gallant and revolutionary activist, Comrade Thulani Maseko. Comrade Masuku Rudolf… Read more »
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Zimbabwe:
Opposition Politician Chamisa Mourns Assassinated Human Rights Lawyer Maseko
New Zimbabwe, 23 January 2023
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has described Africa as a breeding ground for murders and violence following the killing of Swaziland human rights lawyer… Read more »
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Eswatini:
Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko Shot Dead
New Zimbabwe, 22 January 2023
Human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, the Chairperson of the MultiStakeholder Forum (MSF) has been shot dead. Read more »
InFocus
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The human rights landscape in Africa's last remaining absolute monarchy remains characterised by serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced ... Read more »
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Human rights watchdogs have called for the immediate and unconditional release of eSwatini members of parliament Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube. The two were detain Read more »
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Inaction and in speech, the ruler of eSwatini and his government refuse to listen to the mass democratic movement's demands for a genuine dialogue.
The emotional and physical ... Read more »
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Defence, Politics and Security Cooperation, has appointe Read more »
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eSwatini has deployed soldiers and police to multiple schools, as learners continue to demand political reform in Africa's last kingdom. Among learners' demands is the release of ... Read more »
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King Mswati III's forces continue to kill, maim and jail pro-democracy protesters and other innocent citizens, including children and teens, while the international community looks ... Read more »
(File photo).