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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the human rights situation in Eswatini.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the human rights situation in Eswatini.
Since reopening our High Commission in Eswatini in 2019, the UK has been active in promoting good governance and the rule of law, through engagement with trade unions, political groups and civil society organisations as well as with the three branches of government. The UK supports the Swazi people indirectly through programmes delivered by UN agencies (including the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)), their implementing partners and the Global Fund, as well as through advocacy and engagement with local Human Rights Defenders and state authorities.
That this House recognises the widespread human rights abuses committed under the autocratic Tinkhundla system of government in eSwatini since the dissolution of the constitution in 1973; notes erosion of democratic institutions, trade union rights, and civil liberties, including the banning of all political parties such as the People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO); further notes the crackdown on rights, including freedom of expression, press, health, education, gender, and LGBT equality; condemns the violent repression of civic protests, particularly the deadly crackdown of June 2021; supports the demands of PUDEMO, the Multi-Stakeholders Forum (MSF) and the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland for a repeal of the 1973 Decree, the lifting bans on political parties, trade union rights, freedoms of association and assembly, the return of political exiles, the release of political prisoners and an end to state violence against activists; also notes the 2021 ITUC report finding eSwatini in violation of 10 of 16 Commonwealth Charter principles; calls on the UK Government to work through the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to investigate these breaches and ensure enforcement of the Charter; and calls on the Government to support an independently mediated national political dialogue for democratic transition, and an independent investigation into the assassination of human rights lawyer and former PUDEMO Secretary General, Thulani Rudolf Maseko, and all deaths linked to the 2021 unrest.
That this House recognises the widespread human rights abuses committed under the autocratic Tinkhundla system of government in eSwatini since the dissolution of the constitution in 1973; notes erosion of democratic institutions, trade union rights, and civil liberties, including the banning of all political parties such as the People's United...
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to provide support for human rights to (a) people in, (b) aid agencies and (c) human rights organisations working in Eswatini.
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to provide support for human rights to (a) people in, (b) aid agencies and (c) human rights organisations working in Eswatini.
The UK works to promote respect for human rights around the world, including in Eswatini. The British Government supports the Swazi people indirectly through programmes delivered by UN agencies (including UNICEF, UNFPA and WFP), their implementing partners and the Global Fund, as well as through advocacy and engagement with local Human Rights Defenders and state authorities. The British High Commission also provides project support to local NGOs and CSOs working on key human rights issues such as gender-based violence, freedom of expression and the rights of women and girls.
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to the decision of the International Parliamentary Union Governing Council on Case SWZ-COLL-01, published on 27 October 2023, what recent steps he has taken to support the rule of law and political space in Eswatini; and whether...
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to the decision of the International Parliamentary Union Governing Council on Case SWZ-COLL-01, published on 27 October 2023, what recent steps he has taken to support the rule of law and political space in Eswatini; and whether...
Since reopening our High Commission in Eswatini in 2019, the UK has been active in promoting good governance and the rule of law, through engagement with trade unions, political groups and civil society organisations as well as with the three branches of government. During the extended political transition this year, the High Commission supported efforts to promote peaceful and credible elections. The High Commission has also supported a series of media freedom events, and used International Programme Fund resources to promote a range of local initiatives in partnership with NGOs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the efficiency of UK consular assistance in Eswatini.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the efficiency of UK consular assistance in Eswatini.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Human Rights and Democracy: the 2022 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office report, published on 13 July 2022, CP 886, for what reason there are no references to (a) Cameroon, (b) Burkina Faso and (c) Eswatini...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Human Rights and Democracy: the 2022 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office report, published on 13 July 2022, CP 886, for what reason there are no references to (a) Cameroon, (b) Burkina Faso and (c) Eswatini...
The Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report for 2022 covers a wide range of countries, both Human Rights Priority Countries (HRPCs) and others.
HRPCs are countries which either have particular challenges or are on a negative or positive trajectory, and where we consider that the UK can make a real difference. However, as always, our human rights work goes far beyond this.
An absence of references to any particular country does not reflect the level of scrutiny the FCDO places on human rights there. We remain committed to the promotion of human rights across the globe.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has received recent reports from the High Commission in Eswatini on Russian involvement in security in that country.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has received recent reports from the High Commission in Eswatini on Russian involvement in security in that country.
We are committed to working with international partners to mitigate the impact of Russia's actions globally. The British High Commission in Mbabane provides regular reporting to Ministers of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on the security context in Eswatini.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the death of Thulani Maseko in Eswatini on 21 January 2023 on (a) the rule of law, (b) human rights and (c) progress towards democracy in that country.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the death of Thulani Maseko in Eswatini on 21 January 2023 on (a) the rule of law, (b) human rights and (c) progress towards democracy in that country.
Mr. Maseko will be remembered as a champion of human rights and the rule of law for the people of Eswatini. The Government of Eswatini has issued a statement expressing their condolences and announcing that the authorities are already investigating the murder. We have urged a thorough investigation into his untimely death. We continue to encourage all parties to refrain from violence while pursuing peaceful means to address the country's political and socio-economic challenges, including the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his Department's policies of the democracy movement in Eswatini.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his Department's policies of the democracy movement in Eswatini.
The UK Government remains disappointed by the lack of progress towards meaningful dialogue in Eswatini to address the restrictions on democratic and civil rights. We are clear that all citizens have the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and that the Government of Eswatini must exercise restraint and respect the human rights of its people. Through our High Commissioner in Mbabane, representations on this matter have been made directly to King Mswati III, the Prime Minister of Eswatini and others, including senior officers in the police service. The High Commissioner has also engaged with political activists within the Political Parties Assembly (PPA) and the wider Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) to better understand their aspirations and capacities and to encourage constructive pursuit of their political goals. The FCDO will continue to monitor the human rights and security situation in Eswatini and promote dialogue and peaceful resolution of the political and social conflicts within the country.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many full time equivalent staff his Department has in Eswatini.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many full time equivalent staff his Department has in Eswatini.
The full time equivalent FCDO staff in Eswatini is fewer than 10.
That this House is concerned about the continued detention of Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, members of Parliament in the Southern African country of Eswatini, who have now been held for over a year on trumped up charges under the Suppression of Terrorism Act following pro-democracy demonstrations; notes with disappointment that King Mswati, Africa’s last absolute monarch, has repeatedly thwarted calls for reform and that according to Freedom House his Government has used increasingly repressive tactics to stifle pro-democracy activism, including arbitrary arrest, harassment, and assault by security officials; urges King Mswati to initiate a national political dialogue with members of the opposition and civil society leaders and for his Government to stop suppressing dissent and to release all human rights defenders currently being held; calls on the UK Government to support democratic reform and human rights defenders in that country, raise the cases of Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube with the relevant authorities, make a public statement pressing for their immediate and unconditional release, and consider imposing travel bans on King Mswati and his family until the MPs are released.
That this House is concerned about the continued detention of Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, members of Parliament in the Southern African country of Eswatini, who have now been held for over a year on trumped up charges under the Suppression of Terrorism Act following pro-democracy demonstrations; notes with...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support coordinated (a) Commonwealth, (b) Southern African Development Community, (c) African Union, and (d) UK diplomatic engagement with Eswatini to support peaceful, inclusive and constructive engagement between the government and the democratisation...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support coordinated (a) Commonwealth, (b) Southern African Development Community, (c) African Union, and (d) UK diplomatic engagement with Eswatini to support peaceful, inclusive and constructive engagement between the government and the democratisation...
Further to the re-establishment of a resident UK High Commission in Eswatini in 2019, which demonstrated our commitment to the country's development, the UK government has cooperated on the ground and regionally with our key bilateral and multilateral partners, including the Commonwealth Secretariat and Ministerial Action Group as well as the SADC (notably the South African-led Troika Organ on Politics, Defence and Security), to promote respect for human rights and democratisation in Eswatini. The UK's High Commissioner continues to encourage the government to allow the opposition to operate without impediment, and to implement reforms. He has also been involved in the establishment of a 'development partner-government forum' as a platform for diplomatic and multilateral actors to work together with the Government of Eswatini to promote equitable social and economic development, to lobby for progress on a range of human rights concerns and to support an inclusive, transparent and peaceful national dialogue process.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) report Holding eSwatini to Account: Assessing the Country’s Compliance with the Commonwealth Charter, published on 5 March 2021, what plans they have to use their position as a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to initiate an investigation into potential breaches of the Commonwealth Charter by the government of Eswatini; and what steps they will take to support the implementation of the recommendations in the ITUC report.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) report Holding eSwatini to Account: Assessing the Country’s Compliance with the Commonwealth Charter, published on 5 March 2021, what plans they have to use their position as a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to initiate an investigation into potential breaches of the Commonwealth Charter by the government of Eswatini; and what steps they will take to support the implementation of the recommendations in the ITUC report.
My Lords, Her Majesty’s Government frequently raise concerns about human rights and governance within eSwatini. My colleague, the Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford, recently visited and spoke to the Prime Minister and, at his request, the King about the civil unrest and tackling its underlying causes, many of which were highlighted by the ITUC. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group is a confidential forum that subsequently enables discreet engagement by members. I cannot comment on the detail of the action the UK will take as a member of that group.
My Lords, Her Majesty’s Government frequently raise concerns about human rights and governance within eSwatini. My colleague, the Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford, recently visited and spoke to the Prime Minister and, at his request, the King about the civil unrest and tackling its underlying causes, many of which were highlighted by the ITUC. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group is a confidential forum that subsequently enables discreet engagement by members. I cannot comment on the detail of the action the UK will take as a member of that group.
My Lords, Her Majesty’s Government frequently raise concerns about human rights and governance within eSwatini. My colleague, the Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford, recently visited and spoke to the Prime Minister and, at his request, the King about the civil unrest and tackling its underlying causes, many of which were highlighted by the ITUC. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group is a confidential forum that subsequently enables discreet engagement by members. I cannot comment on the detail of the action the UK will take as a member of that group.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) report Holding eSwatini to Account: Assessing the Country’s Compliance with the Commonwealth Charter, published on 5 March 2021, what plans they have to use their position as a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to initiate an investigation into potential breaches of the Commonwealth Charter by the government of Eswatini; and what steps they will take to support the implementation of the recommendations in the ITUC report.
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. All that has really been achieved are belated promises of dialogue made by the last absolute dictatorship on the African continent, after a year of government repression and killing with no progress on the reforms the protesters are demanding. The intervention by SADC and the Commonwealth Secretariat has been completely ineffective. Will the Minister tell them to toughen up their approach? Will he ensure that the UK’s representative in Eswatini engages with the local trade union movement? Will the Minister meet our TUC, which commissioned this damning report, to discuss its recommendations and what the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group can do to address them?
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. All that has really been achieved are belated promises of dialogue made by the last absolute dictatorship on the African continent, after a year of government repression and killing with no progress on the reforms the protesters are demanding. The intervention by SADC and the Commonwealth Secretariat has been completely ineffective. Will the Minister tell them to toughen up their approach? Will he ensure that the UK’s representative in Eswatini engages with the local trade union movement? Will the Minister meet our TUC, which commissioned this damning report, to discuss its recommendations and what the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group can do to address them?
My Lords, I am always willing to meet. I will work with the noble Lord to arrange that meeting. On what is happening in country in Eswatini, the noble Lord is quite right to draw attention to the work of the African countries, particularly SADC. As he will know, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, visited and met directly with the King of Eswatini. The three countries involved through SADC are also Commonwealth countries,
so we are engaging in a very co-ordinated way. Our ambassador regularly makes representations directly to the Government. I spoke to him only two days ago.
My Lords, I am always willing to meet. I will work with the noble Lord to arrange that meeting. On what is happening in country in Eswatini, the noble Lord is quite right to draw attention to the work of the African countries, particularly SADC. As he will know, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, visited and met directly with the King of Eswatini. The three countries involved through SADC are also Commonwealth countries,
so we are engaging in a very co-ordinated way. Our ambassador regularly makes representations directly to the Government. I spoke to him only two days ago.
My Lords, I am always willing to meet. I will work with the noble Lord to arrange that meeting. On what is happening in country in Eswatini, the noble Lord is quite right to draw attention to the work of the African countries, particularly SADC. As he will know, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, visited and met directly with the King of Eswatini. The three countries involved through SADC are also Commonwealth countries,
so we are engaging in a very co-ordinated way. Our ambassador regularly makes representations directly to the Government. I spoke to him only two days ago.
My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. All that has really been achieved are belated promises of dialogue made by the last absolute dictatorship on the African continent, after a year of government repression and killing with no progress on the reforms the protesters are demanding. The intervention by SADC and the Commonwealth Secretariat has been completely ineffective. Will the Minister tell them to toughen up their approach? Will he ensure that the UK’s representative in Eswatini engages with the local trade union movement? Will the Minister meet our TUC, which commissioned this damning report, to discuss its recommendations and what the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group can do to address them?
My Lords, the strength of the ITUC report is that it includes African members of the Commonwealth too. Shortly before the lockdown, I led a CPA UK delegation to Namibia. The Namibian TUC is one of the organisations that has been raising consistent concerns. Can the Minister go a little further about the role of the UK chair-in-office? We currently have a cherished position before the next CHOGM regarding the protection of human rights, freedom of assembly and expression, and media freedom. I know that this is a priority for the Minister. What can we do as chair-in-office as practical action steps, rather than purely dialogue, to emphasise the benefits of the Commonwealth family?
My Lords, the strength of the ITUC report is that it includes African members of the Commonwealth too. Shortly before the lockdown, I led a CPA UK delegation to Namibia. The Namibian TUC is one of the organisations that has been raising consistent concerns. Can the Minister go a little further about the role of the UK chair-in-office? We currently have a cherished position before the next CHOGM regarding the protection of human rights, freedom of assembly and expression, and media freedom. I know that this is a priority for the Minister. What can we do as chair-in-office as practical action steps, rather than purely dialogue, to emphasise the benefits of the Commonwealth family?
My Lords, I pay tribute to the work of the noble Lord—he is aware that I very much appreciate his insights on the countries he visits. Specifically on what the Commonwealth can do, CMAG is different from our role as chair-in-office, so that we can provide support and funding for human rights, and have done so. On the specifics in Eswatini, we are also aware of like-minded partners. For example, on the education side, an initiative was taken recently by a trade union within Eswatini and a trade union in South Africa, supported by a trade union in Finland, to provide support and to stand up for justice and the rights of workers.
My Lords, I pay tribute to the work of the noble Lord—he is aware that I very much appreciate his insights on the countries he visits. Specifically on what the Commonwealth can do, CMAG is different from our role as chair-in-office, so that we can provide support and funding for human rights, and have done so. On the specifics in Eswatini, we are also aware of like-minded partners. For example, on the education side, an initiative was taken recently by a trade union within Eswatini and a trade union in South Africa, supported by a trade union in Finland, to provide support and to stand up for justice and the rights of workers.
My Lords, I pay tribute to the work of the noble Lord—he is aware that I very much appreciate his insights on the countries he visits. Specifically on what the Commonwealth can do, CMAG is different from our role as chair-in-office, so that we can provide support and funding for human rights, and have done so. On the specifics in Eswatini, we are also aware of like-minded partners. For example, on the education side, an initiative was taken recently by a trade union within Eswatini and a trade union in South Africa, supported by a trade union in Finland, to provide support and to stand up for justice and the rights of workers.
My Lords, the strength of the ITUC report is that it includes African members of the Commonwealth too. Shortly before the lockdown, I led a CPA UK delegation to Namibia. The Namibian TUC is one of the organisations that has been raising consistent concerns. Can the Minister go a little further about the role of the UK chair-in-office? We currently have a cherished position before the next CHOGM regarding the protection of human rights, freedom of assembly and expression, and media freedom. I know that this is a priority for the Minister. What can we do as chair-in-office as practical action steps, rather than purely dialogue, to emphasise the benefits of the Commonwealth family?
My Lords, the Minister just mentioned the position of chair-in-office since the London CHOGM. The London CHOGM achieved quite a lot on significant issues on LGBT rights. One of the sad things in the ITUC’s report is the terrible conditions for LGBT people and the fact that the sexual and gender minorities group has been banned. Can the Minister tell us what we are doing to try to ensure that this issue is covered in dialogue?
My Lords, the Minister just mentioned the position of chair-in-office since the London CHOGM. The London CHOGM achieved quite a lot on significant issues on LGBT rights. One of the sad things in the ITUC’s report is the terrible conditions for LGBT people and the fact that the sexual and gender minorities group has been banned. Can the Minister tell us what we are doing to try to ensure that this issue is covered in dialogue?
My Lords, the noble Lord is right to draw attention to our role as chair-in-office. We put LGBT rights at the heart of our work on human rights within the Commonwealth. I am pleased to share with him that a number of countries, particularly South Africa and Botswana, have made progressive steps on this agenda and they are engaging directly on this issue with the Eswatini Government.