The Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) is alarmed by the gruesome murder of Human Rights Defender, Adv. Thulani Maseko, which happened whilst he was innocently watching television with his family at his home in Mbabane, Eswatini.
NANHRI acknowledges that Maseko passionately chaired the Multi-Stakeholders Forum, a collaboration of political parties and civil society groups working to amplify the calls for democratic reforms. He was deeply dedicated to human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Swaziland and beyond.
NANHRI also sadly notes that there has been a rise in human rights violations across Africa affecting mostly Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) who have in the recent past been harassed, beaten, arbitrarily arrested, tortured, incarcerated and even forcibly disappeared in mysterious circumstances, some being linked to state agencies and operatives.
NANHRI recently conducted a study in 9 countries in Africa to establish the extent to which Human Rights Defenders are protected under the national legal frameworks and one of the most striking findings was that there was no legal framework dedicated to the protection of HRDs except in very few countries on the continent. There is general unwillingness to enact laws protective of HRDs in Africa.
In our mission to strengthen NHRIs in Africa, we are calling on all governments to expand their civic space, in protecting and promoting Human Rights Defenders and their families, in accordance with Article 1 of the African Charter.
NANHRI further calls on the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to investigate the matter and ensure justice is dispensed without fear or favour and that those responsible are brought to book.
NANHRI wishes to extend its deepest condolences to the family of Adv. Maseko and may His Dear Soul Rest in Eternal Peace .
About us:
The Network of African NHRIs is a membership organisation that brings together 46 National Human Rights Institutions in Africa. Through the Nairobi-based Secretariat, NANHRI works with State and non-state actors towards establishment and strengthening of NHRIs in accordance with the Paris Principles.
Dr. Elasto Hilarious Mugwadi
Chairperson, NANHRI
For further enquiries
Mr Gilbert Sebihogo
Email: gsebihogo@nanhri.org
Tel: +254718201821