MASS ARRESTS ‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL’

The mass arrests made by Swazi police last week in an attempt to disrupt two protest marches for democracy in Swaziland were probably unconstitutional.

According to a lawyer in Mbabane, Swaziland, it is not clear under which law the protestors were arrested.

Jackson Rogers, writing on his blog, Swazi Bill of Rights, says s16 of the Swaziland Constitution protects the right to liberty.

So far, he says, no one seems to have challenged either the actions of the police or the laws that the arrests were brought under.

On his blog he details the content of s16 and concludes that a challenge to the arrests ‘might represent a small but significant stride towards constitutionalism’.

To read the argument in full, click here.

NEW SWAZILAND HUMAN RIGHTS BLOG

Here’s a relatively new blogsite that’s worth encouraging.

Jackson Rogers’ blog ‘Swazi Bill of Rights’ looks at constitutional issues in Swaziland, ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.

In his most recent post Rogers writes about the Human Rights Commission in Swaziland which he says will be able to investigate individuals at the behest of the state, and could end up being the exact opposite of what any right-thinking people would want from it.

To go to the blog, click here.