Johannesburg – Amnesty International has demanded that the investigation into the murder of rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko, in Eswatini “must be independent and transparent”.
“A month after Thulani Maseko was gunned down, it remains unclear what steps the Eswatini authorities have taken to facilitate an independent investigation to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this crime,” Vongai Chikwanda Amnesty International Deputy Director for Southern Africa, said on Tuesday.
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“Amnesty International is calling on the authorities to reveal how they intend to ensure the investigation into Maseko’s death will be thorough, impartial, and transparent,” said Chikwanda.
Amnesty International said the Eswatini authorities must ensure the investigation into Maseko’s murder must be carried out in a “completely independent, impartial, transparent and effective” manner.
Human rights defender Maseko was fatally shot by assailants at his home in Luyengo, Mbabane, On 21 January 2023.
The day before Maseko was murdered, King Mswati III reportedly issued a warning to those calling for democratic reform in the country, saying they would be “dealt with”.
Before his death, Maseko chaired the Multi-Stakeholders Forum, a group of political parties and civil society groups calling for democratic reform in the country.
Eswatini’s monarchy is strongly opposed to political reform and in recent times there has been an escalation in attacks on critics, many of whom had been calling out for political reforms in the tiny mountain kingdom with a population of about 1,2 million.
Maseko was shot three times through the window of his home.
A local newspaper reported that two police officers had staked out Maseko’s house before he was shot dead.
“It is absolutely crucial that the evidence is not tampered with,” said Chikwanda.
“As a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Eswatini has the obligation to investigate any unlawful killing.
“Failing to investigate the unlawful killing of Thulani and bring the perpetrator to justice would be a violation of the country’s obligations under the ICCPR.”
Inter-governmental organisations such as the Southern African Development Community, the Africa Union, and the European Union, as well as the human rights community, including Amnesty International, have called for a full and transparent investigation into Maseko’s killing.
“Every day that passes without commitment and action from the authorities towards an independent and transparent investigation brings further pain for Maseko’s family,” said Chikwanda.
“This killing must not be covered up or swept under the carpet. The perpetrators of this brutal crime must be brought to trial.
“In the meantime, the Eswatini authorities must ensure that people in the country are safe and able to exercise their human rights freely and without any reprisals, including political activists and human rights defenders.”
