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Spotlight: Swaziland Free Expression & the Law

Human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko

Human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko

27 January 2016
IFEX

A leading human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko spent over 15 months in prison for criticising Swaziland's corrupt judicial system and the absolute monarchy that gives the king ultimate authority over the cabinet, legislature and judiciary.

Swaziland Highlights
From our Network

Swaziland Free Expression & the Law

Investigative journalist Bheki Makhubu

Veteran independent journalist Bheki Makhubu spent over fifteen months in a high security prison in Swaziland for exposing a judicial system that is deeply corrupt - the latest in a string of trials he has endured over the past two decades.

‎ IFEX‎27 January 2016

Swaziland Censorship Free Expression & the Law

Swazi editor and human rights lawyer released after 15 months in prison

Bheki Makhubu and Thulani Maseko were acquitted by the Supreme Court on 30 June 2015. The editor and human rights lawyer had been charged with contempt of court in 2014 for writing articles criticising the Swazi judiciary.

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa ‎ 2 July 2015

Swaziland

Tell Swaziland's king that journalist Bheki Makhubu doesn't belong behind bars

Take Action!

An article landed Bheki Makhubu in jail in April 2014. Join CPJ and their #PressUncuffed campaign by asking for Makhubu’s release.

‎ ‎22 April 2015

Latest from Swaziland

Swazi human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko placed in solitary confinement

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland Censorship Free Expression & the Law 25 March 2015
Swaziland doesn't want you to care about these government critics. Here's why you should.

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland Censorship Free Expression & the Law 17 March 2015
Huge libel damages aim to throttle Swaziland's only independent daily

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Swaziland Free Expression & the Law 17 December 2014
Southern African Development Community: Address free expression, human rights in member countries

‎ Human Rights Watch

Zambia Swaziland Angola Zimbabwe Malawi 15 August 2014
Editor and lawyer who criticised Swazi judiciary given two-year prison sentences

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland Free Expression & the Law 30 July 2014
Writers Maseko, Makhubu given two-year jail terms for contempt of court in Swaziland

‎ Reporters Without Borders

Swaziland Free Expression & the Law 25 July 2014
Swazi human rights lawyer and editor found guilty of contempt of court over critical articles

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland Censorship Free Expression & the Law 18 July 2014
Publisher and editor win appeal for charges of "scandalising the court" in Swaziland

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland 9 June 2014
Arrest, release, repeat: A timeline of Bheki Makhubu and Thulani Maseko's case

‎ Caro Rolando for IFEX

Swaziland Censorship Free Expression & the Law 22 April 2014
Swaziland: Human rights lawyer and journalist charged with contempt of court

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland Censorship 20 March 2014
Policeman points gun at journalist documenting police brutality in Swaziland

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland Attacks 11 October 2013
Thoughts on media freedom under Swaziland's "monarchical democracy"

‎ Caro Rolando

Swaziland Censorship 2 October 2013
Swazi magazine handed heavy fine for criticism of chief justice

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland Free Expression & the Law 19 April 2013
Swazi editors reinstated after eight month suspension

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland Censorship 26 March 2013
Swazi journalist attacked while covering chieftaincy dispute

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland Attacks 10 January 2013
"Swazi Observer" editors suspended

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland Free Expression & the Law 18 July 2012
Authorities crush pro-democracy protest

‎ Freedom House

Swaziland 16 April 2012
e.TV journalists detained

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland 12 April 2012
Proposed law would ban Facebook, Twitter users from insulting monarch

‎ Freedom House

Swaziland 28 March 2012
Newspaper prohibited from writing about chief justice

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland 21 July 2011
Businessman seeks closure of newspaper in defamation claim

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland 4 July 2011
MISA applauds registration of Media Complaints Commission

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland 15 June 2011
MISA welcomes long-awaited Media Complaints Commission

‎

Swaziland 15 June 2011
Journalist attacked by singer over critical stories

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland 12 May 2011
Editor challenges prime minister on radio censorship

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland 19 April 2011
MISA condemns targeting of activists, journalists during pro-democracy protests

‎ Media Institute of Southern Africa

Swaziland 15 April 2011

At a glance

Swaziland

Most covered free expression issues in this country

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ESWATINI TRANSPARENCY ASSESSMENT 2018

The Citizens' Analysis of Government Openness

Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) 27 September 2018
Freedom of the Press 2016: Swaziland

Student protesters attacked a television crew in August, apparently a due to concerns that they would be identified in news footage and punished by authorities.

Freedom House 24 April 2016
Freedom of the Press 2015: Swaziland

Ranked 172 in annual global media freedom report

Freedom House 1 May 2015

Take Action!

Ahmed Mansoor remains on hunger strike in poor conditions as eyesight deteriorates

Take action to help save the life of imprisoned human rights defender and blogger Ahmed Mansoor

Latest Tweet:

#Albania: @MediaFreedomEU and Safe Journalist Network condemn attack on journalist Elvis Hila and his wife via… https://t.co/LcMIn2eTVz – 1:01 PM, 29 January 2023