Amnesty International demanded that Eswatini authorities unconditionally free former legislators Mthandeni Dube and Bacede Mabuza following King Mswati's conditional pardon that permitted Dube's supervised release while imposing restrictions on political activities and public statements. Deputy Regional Director Vongai Chikwanda stated that Mabuza continues serving an 85-year sentence despite both parliamentarians facing identical charges stemming from their advocacy for constitutional reforms.
Security forces detained the lawmakers after they endorsed democratic transformation initiatives, leading to terrorism and sedition convictions that resulted in decades-long prison terms under legislation criticized for vague language enabling prosecution of peaceful dissent. Amnesty International designated both individuals as prisoners of conscience and emphasized that regional credibility regarding human rights depends on their complete release and abolition of laws criminalizing nonviolent criticism.
Security forces detained the lawmakers after they endorsed democratic transformation initiatives, leading to terrorism and sedition convictions that resulted in decades-long prison terms under legislation criticized for vague language enabling prosecution of peaceful dissent. Amnesty International designated both individuals as prisoners of conscience and emphasized that regional credibility regarding human rights depends on their complete release and abolition of laws criminalizing nonviolent criticism.
