SUPPORT FOR ACTION FROM DENMARK

Support for the Global Day of Action for a Democratic Swaziland has come from Denmark.

Here is a statement from Africa Contact.

Danish Unions and major Political Parties, as well as representatives

of Danish Civic Society, strongly support the Global Day of Action for

Multiparty Democracy in The Kingdom of Swaziland.



The Swaziland Democracy Campaign (SDC) has called for a Global Day of

Action on September 7 to focus on the lack of democratic development

in the Kingdom of Swaziland. For too long, the country's grave

challenges including a HIV/TB epidemic has been taken hostage by a

dictatorial Kingship that has been unable to move the country forward

and out of its deadlock. Today, state of affairs in Swaziland are

blocking the economic and political development that is desperately

needed to face the country's run-down healthcare and educational

system. Following questions in the Swazi parliament into the

corruption of the Royal family, the late King Sobhuza, at the time

only a constitutional head of state - amassed all legislative,

judicial and executive powers in 1973. The takeover was as

illegitimate as it was unjustifiable according to traditional Swazi

culture and customs, which always seeks a pluralistic dialogue on

issues and challenges facing the country.



Today, the current regime, headed by his son King Mswati II, is only

able to sustain itself through Africa’s longest lasting state of

emergency, leaving no space for any kind of political activity. Basic

freedoms of expression and assembly are being violated and leaders of

the democratic movement are being harassed and branded terrorists.



As representatives of the international community, the Global Day of

Action gives us an opportunity to demand an end to the State of

Emergency; that all executive, judicial and legislative powers be

returned to parliament; the unbanning of all political parties; an end

to the prosecution and harassment of the country’s democratic leaders;

and a return to a constitutional monarchy as before 1973.



Socialdemokratiet (the Danish Social Democratic Party), Enhedslisten

(the Danish Red Green Alliance), Swaziland Democracy Watch, Fag og

Arbejde (Danish National Union of Public Service Workers), BUPL

(Danish Preschool and Pedagogics National Union), Frit Forum (Danish

Social Democratic Students Movement), Internationalt Forum (Danish

Youth Organisation for International Solidarity), Africa Contact -

Denmark



Contact information:

In Swaziland contact Morten Nielsen from Africa Contact’s

Danish delegation at +268 768 683 49



THE SDC CAMPAIGN:

Swaziland Democracy Campaign is a broad coalition of progressive

organizations in Swaziland and South Africa that are united in their

demand for multiparty democracy in Swaziland. The global day of

Action calls for people throughout the world to be involved in some

form of action to help raise the issues facing the people of Swaziland.



There are three forms of action that one can choose from;

Joining the main Global March taking place in Manzini, Swaziland

Organizing a march to the Swazi embassy or consulate in your

country, or where no such embassy exists, to government offices to

raise the demands of the Swazi people

Sending messages of solidarity and demands to the Prime Minister’s

offices in Swaziland, including a copy to the SDC.