Swaziland repression

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Press statement issued by the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

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The Congress of South African Trade Unions deplores the
attack by armed police on the press conference called by the
Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) on Friday 19
October. It condemns the assault on journalists and the attack
on free speech that this incident represents.

The government’s intentions were made clear when it
declared the press conference illegal and alleged that Jan
Sithole, the General Secretary of the SFTU, “would spark
anarchy” if allowed to speak.

The SFTU press conference was part of the Free Mario
Masuku Campaign. Masuku, President of the People’s United
Democratic Movement, was arrested recently for breaking the
harsh bail conditions following an earlier arrest.

These events confirm that the dictatorship of King Mswati III
is becoming more and more repressive. Any opposition to the
government is ruthlessly put down. COSATU calls upon the
South African and other governments to condemn and isolate
this cruel dictatorship and join the international campaign for
the establishment of democracy, the release of all political
prisoners and the repeal of all anti-democratic and anti-trade
unions laws.

COSATU gives its full support to the SFTU in any action it
may take to defend itself and promises to take any solidarity
action which its Swazi comrades request. It also gives full
backing to the Free Mario Masuku Campaign and demands
that when he appears in court on 29 October, all charges
against him be dropped and set free unconditionally. The Wits
Region of COSATU will be demonstrating its support for
Mario Masuku on the day of his court appearance.

Patrick Craven and Moloto Mothapo
Acting COSATU Spokespersons

[email protected]
082-821-7456
339-4911

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Contact 082-821-7456 Patrick Craven or Moloto Mothapo for further comment.

Visit the COSATU web site at http://www.cosatu.org.za/press/latest.html for
copies of our most recent press statements. For the full archive go to:
http://www.cosatu.org.za/press/archive.html.

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COSATU takes steps to ensure that any attachments are free from viruses.
You should, however, carry out your own virus check before opening any
attachment. COSATU accepts no liability for loss or damage caused by
software viruses.

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