SOLID GUARANTEE FOR PEACE

Human Rights and freedom of expression provide a solid guarantee for peace in our country and the world at large.

On August 7, 2024, I attended the Freedom of Expression Summit held at the George Hotel and was co-hosted by Campaign for Free Expression (CEF) in partnership with some of Eswatini civil society organisations. I would like to thank Professor Anton Harber and his organisation for hosting a third edition in Eswatini. I would like us to think aloud how freedom of expression and human rights are guarantees for peace. We will recall that after the two world wars, which brought untold suffering to millions of people. The Human Rights Global Compact was adopted in 1948.

Dignity

It is stated in the UDHR that: “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. “Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people. “Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law.”

The Amnesty International noted in one of its publications that: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a document that acts like a global road map for freedom and equality – protecting the rights of every individual, everywhere. It was the first time countries agreed on the freedoms and rights that deserve universal protection in order for every individual to live their lives freely, equally and with dignity.” It is gratifying to note that the Eswatini Government after independence aligned herself with the global community by also being signatory to this global pact. However, there was a major setback in 1973, when the independence constitution was abrogated, based on the argument that it brought to the country, some values that were not in line with emaSwati’s way of life.

Persuaded

It is worth noting that the Eswatini Government was persuaded to sign a number of continental and international human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), various labour-related conventions to mention a few. It is evident that the Eswatini Government realised that without human rights there will be no peace. To this end, Eswatini adopted a new constitution with a Bill of Rights in 2005.

It is stated in the Constitution in section 14.
(1) The fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual enshrined in this chapter are hereby declared and guaranteed, namely – (a) respect for life, liberty, right to fair hearing, equality before the law and equal protection of the law; b) freedom of conscience, of expression and of peaceful assembly and association and of movement. In section 24 it states. (1) A person has a right of freedom of expression and opinion.  In subsection (2) A person shall not except with the free consent of that person be hindered in the enjoyment of the freedom of expression, which includes the freedom of the press and other media just to mention a few.  It is well-documented that His Majesty the King often requests a gift of peace from emaSwati. His Majesty appreciates that without peace; there will be no development and ultimately, no progress, underpinned by human development and dignity.  

Good

During the 2024 Summit, veteran journalist Bheki Makhubu stated that Eswatini Constitution is good, but unfortunately it has not been allowed to function not only by the Judiciary, but also by lawyers and the general populace who remain ignorant of their rights.  There was murmuring in the room because many feel emaSwati are denied rights by the very government that is custodian of the Constitution.

What needs to be done?
With billions of people, especially the youth left behind, violent conflicts in many countries including Eswatini will continue.   Amnesty International is right that  “The UDHR legacy challenges us to go on the offensive.  It demands that we resist the globalised, transnational and localised attacks against rights. It asks of us that we disrupt the building of world orders that reproduce historical privileges and injustices, violate rights and silence defenders; and that we transform global governance by re-imagining and innovations.”
Without human dignity, enjoyment  human rights, peace will remain elusive globally.

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