Swaziland – 15 August 2014

August 15, 2014August 19, 2014 SALO

Swaziland Group Demands Answers From Minister Over AGOA
The general secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) says members will protest Minister of Labor and Social Security Winnie Magagula’s appearance before parliament on Thursday.
Vincent Ncongwane said Swaziland is set to lose about 17,000 jobs after the country was thrown out of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) initiative over the country’s poor human rights record. allAfrica

‘Freedom of Expression Under Siege in Swaziland’
A new piece of research by a Masters student at the University of Pretoria says Swazi “citizens cannot freely express themselves on issues involving the government and the monarchy because of fear of being harassed by the authorities”.
Kudzani Ndlovu, who is studying at the University’s centre for human rights, completed the study after months of research, including ‘on the ground’ interviews in Swaziland. allAfrica

Swaziland to answer on deteriorating rule of law
SWAZILAND will on Sunday answer on the deteriorating rule of law during the 34th head of states summit to be held in Zimbabwe.
According to Amnesty International, the lack of respect for and protection of human rights in the country was a serious concern.
The organisation said this was despite human rights being enshrined in the country’s new constitution as well as in international law. Swazi Observer

KING IN THE DARK WHY COUNTRY LOST AGOA
His Majesty King Mswati III has said he was still in the dark on why the country was removed as a beneficiary of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).
America President Barack Obama announced the removal of the country from AGOA, which benefits suppliers of apparel goods exported by qualifying Sub-Saharan states.
About two weeks ago, His Majesty was in Washington DC to engage in talks with the AGOA team. On his return from the US-Africa Leaders Summit yesterday, the King disclosed that he met with a high-powered delegation inclusive of the Secretary of Trade in that country. Times of Swaziland