Thulani Maseko, the human rights lawyer and journalist jailed for two years in Swaziland because he wrote a magazine article critical of the Swazi judiciary, has written from his jail cell at Sidvwashini Prison to US President Barack Obama, asking for the United States to impose sanctions against King Mswati III.
In the letter that was written while Maseko was awaiting trial, the lawyer quoted Obama himself who once said, 'I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights.'
Maseko wrote to President Obama, 'We are happy that the American government, under your administration, has noted that these things are not available to the vast majority of the people of Swaziland. They are not available because we are living under a dictatorship of a supreme monarchy that abuses the people's customary and traditional practices to stay in power. Yet we know that tradition and customary practices should not impede onbasic human rights and fundamental freedoms and civil liberties. As far as we in the democratic progressive movement understand, human rights are God-given; they are inalienable, inherent, indivisible and inviolable.
'In the Kingdom of Swaziland, we live under an oppressive regime where it is said "rights and ...
[view whole blog post
]
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
See More
Report Abuse