The TUC condemns the crackdown of trade unionists in Swaziland.

Following the arrests and harassments of trade unionists on 12 April 2012 in Mbabane, the TUC, in a letter to the Swaziland High Commission in London, has strongly condemned the repression of trade union and human rights in Swaziland.

Her Excellency Mrs Dumsile T Sukati

High Commissioner

Kingdom of Swaziland High Commission

20 Buckingham Gate

Lodon SW1E 6LB

Dear High Commissioner

Further to my letter of 7 April 2012 regarding the de-registration of our sister organisation in Swaziland, TUCOSWA, the TUC General Council join me in expressing our outrage over the on-going crackdown of trade unionists.

You may recall that in my letter I stressed the need for your Government to avoid a confrontation with trade unionists and other progressive forces desirous of exercising their legitimate right to protest on 12 April. However, our information is that arrests and harassment of trade unionists by Swazi security forces continued on a large scale on 12 April 2012 in Mbabane and that any gathering of more than three people was banned.

Mr Mduduzi Gina, TUCOSWA General Secretary, was detained by the security forces, and ordered to leave Mbabane within 15 minutes of his arrival from Manzini. Mr Sipho Kunene, TUCOSWA Vice President, and Mr Muzi Mhlanga, Secretary General of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) were harassed and bundled into a police van. Mr Wonder Mkhonza, National Executive Committee member and Mr Emmanuel Dlamini, Recording Secretary of SNAT, were also detained and later released.

The harassments and arrests of trade unionists over activities pertaining to the exercise of their legitimate rights and duties are a gross violation of the ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Moreover, the Government of Swaziland, which ratified Convention 98 and Convention 87, is obliged to observe the workers' rights enshrined in them. These incidents will, no doubt, tarnish the image of your country and further aggravate the current difficulties, making national dialogue and reconciliation even more difficult.

We urge you to pass on our deep concern over the colleagues concerned to your Government, and use your influence with the authorities to ensure that all citizens are allowed to exercise their democratic rights without interference from the State.

I would be grateful for your urgent attention.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary