Swaziland Democracy Watch, 15/03-2010
The SWADEWA Democracy Prize 2010 has been awarded to Mario Masuku by Swaziland
Democracy Watch (SWADEWA) in the Danish Parliament.
Among the reasons for awarding Mario Masuku, SWADEWA stated:
"Mario Masuku's brave struggle for a better future for the Swazi people has
made him a uniting figure and a source of inspiration for the numerous
movements which are fighting for a free and democratic Swaziland, where the
entire Swazi people benefits from national ressources".
Danish MP and spokesman on foreign affairs for the currently most
well-supported party in Denmark, the Social Democrats, Mogens Lykketoft,
presented the award, which consists of a golden megaphone and 1000 $.
Regarding Swaziland, Lykketoft stated: "It is important to get a government
that can introduce general democratic rights such as free elections, freedom of
speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press and a genuine democracy".
Furthermore, Lykketoft wished for a Swazi government with the ability and will
to cooperate with neighbouring countries to fight poverty, take action against
the problems with AIDS and the shockingly low average life expectancy age.
The prize was accepted by a friend and representative of Mario Masuku, who is
from the Danish NGO, Africa Contact. He read out an acceptance speech from
Masuku, who expressed that he was honoured to accept the award. He added:
"My people want democracy, peace and stability. And the current regime gives
them more poverty and brutalization. This is their award in recognition of
their resilience in the face of harassment".
The Danish Secretary General of Amnesty International, Lars Normann Joergensen,
congratulates Masuku with the SWADEWA Democracy Prize 2010 and says on behalf
of Amnesty International:
"Amnesty International has in many years criticized the widespread persecution
of the opposition in Swaziland and has especially been alarmed by the
consequences of the Suppression of Terrorism Act".
He added:
"Amnesty International will continue to put pressure on the Swazi regime to
remove those regulations that undermine the legal rights for political
activists, journalists and common Swazi citizens."
Several NGO's, political parties and labour unions were present at the
well-attended ceremony.
Further questions and comments: [email protected]"
--full President Mario acceptance speech
People’s United Democratic Movement-Swaziland
Democracy Award Acceptance Speech
Mario Masuku
PUDEMO President
Denmark, 15 March 2010
I am honoured to accept this democracy award as conferred on me today. Due to
many reasons, I could not personally make it to be there with you physically.
The giving of this award and my acceptance of the same is a great departure
from the way people and the world has viewed the struggle of the people of
Swaziland for the past 37 years. Our movement PUDEMO has continued to wage a
peaceful struggle against a very violent and brutal regime.
As we speak today, there are many Swazis who are forced out of the country due
to the political and economic situation. Our movement and all the democratic
forces of Swaziland under the banner of the Swaziland United Democratic
Front-SUDF are committed to building a democratic state that respects the will
of the majority.
We are aware that Denmark is among the major donors to the kingdom of
Swaziland. The very generous donations that you send out there are not used for
the benefit of the people but a few corrupt elements within government. We
therefore call upon you to use your influence in the European Union to exert
political and economic pressure on the ruling elite in Swaziland. We call on
you to apply targeted sanctions that will restrict the travel of the oppressive
regime to your countries. We call on you to support the voice of the people of
Swaziland in their call for democracy. Stop selling weapons to Swaziland. We
call on you to support the people’s movement- PUDEMO.
I accept this award on behalf of the million Swazis, 70% of which live below
the poverty line, 26.2 % of which are HIV positive, 40 % of which are
unemployed and generally a nation in need of immediate serious interventions.
My people want democracy, peace and stability. And the current regime gives
them more poverty and brutalization. This is their award in recognition of
their resilience in the face of harassment. It is in recognition of the
struggles waged by the rural people who are evicted from their land. It is in
recognition of the humble people who have been deported out of the country for
daring to stand up against abuse of human rights, the kids who go to school
without food, the patients who go to hospital to await their death, the workers
who serve our country yet are not rewarded, the urban poor who occupy the
sprawling slums of our towns. This is for them.
Lastly we take this opportunity to salute the people of Denmark for recognising
the work done by not myself but the collective struggling people of Swaziland
as led by their liberation movement, PUDEMO. We hope this award will inspire us
to be more focused and decisive. We will continue to move forward. And as a
movement we have always said that our door is open for negotiations but the
government refuses to recognise us as the people’s liberation movement instead
they have passed a law which declares us as a terrorist organisation. But we
are happy that the world can not be fooled.
Our demands are clear:
Unban political parties
Respect the rule of law
Respect women and children’s rights
Unconditional return of all exiles
Multiparty democratic elections
A democratic constitution for the nation
End to corruption, nepotism
End to the brutalization and killing of unarmed civilians by the state security
forces
We thank you for your gesture, and we are confident it will have the desired
impact in instilling some sense in the minds of the powers that be in Swaziland.
Thank you.
--
NEW!!!! SSN FORUM IS ON FACEBOOK!!!!
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Swaziland
Solidarity Network Forum Google Group.
Visit the group home page at
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/sa-swaziland-solidarity-eom-forum for more
options, pages and files.
To post to the group, send email to
[email protected] or reply to this message.
To unsubscribe, send email to
[email protected]
