YCL+demands+to+Swaziland+High+Commisssioner

YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE OF SOUTH AFRICA
P. O. BOX 1027 JOHANNESBURG 2000 TEL: 011 – 339 3621 FAX: 011- 339 4244 E-MAIL: leslyk@webmail.co.za HEAD OFFICE**
 * 3RD FLOOR COSATU HOUSE 1 – 5 LEYDS STREET BRAAMFONTEIN, JOHANNESBURG, 2000

= **Memorandum of Demands** =

To: The High Commissioner of the Republic Of Swaziland From: The Young Communist League of South Africa and seven other organisations Date: 09 December 2005 Subject:Demand for Freedom and Democracy in Swaziland

We, the Young Communist League of South Africa, together with the African National Congress Youth League, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, South African Students Congress, Students Unions Christian Action, Young Christian Students, Congress of South African Students and the Swaziland Youth Congress united in action for the ultimate freedom of the Swaziland people hereby submits that:

Firstly, we are noting the gross human rights abuse that have been perpetrated by the Swaziland government against its people, and that the youth have been at the receiving end of this violation;

Secondly, the lack of democratic governance on the part of the Swaziland regeime, with governance conducted without the involvement and voice of the people;

Thirdly, the use of state institutions and resources to sustain the Royal Family through the monies worked for by the people of Swaziland, whilst other socio-economic priorities are suffering;

Fourthly, the absence of a constitution that is a result of the involvement of the people of Swaziland, and the current constitutional review process dictated to by the King;

Fifthly, the alarming and increasing exclusion of the people of Swaziland from social and economic prosperity that the country is experiencing, with the majority of the people in your country subjected to abject poverty and rural under-development;

Sixthly, the lack of access to education, basic healthcare, water, electricity and other basic services, which have now become an entitlement of the elite oin Swaziland whilst the masses of the people do not enjoy access to all of these; Seventhly, the arbitrary arrests of political activists by the Royal Police and the Royal Army, and the unilateral and dictatorial banning of political parties and their related organs in advancing the rights of the workers and the poor of Swaziland.

Lastly, the increasing and alarming rate of HIV/AIDS amongst the youth of the country, with the King recently banning all activities related to Awareness, Education and mobilisation of people to fight the epidemic on December 01 2005. We therefore demand the following:

1. That there be immediate institutions of a broad forum comprising of all the political forces in Swaziland to look into the issue of human rights abuse that have been perpetrated on instruction or consent by the Royal Family; 2. That there be immediate un-banning of all political parties, especially the Peoples United Democratic Movement and its youth-wing; 3. That there be immediate release and dropping of charges of all political activists who have been arbitrarily arrested by the Royal Police; 4. That socio-economic prosperity of Swaziland beshared amongst the people of the country, and be distributed into the basic needs and demands of the people. 5. That the current constitutional review process be an inclusive one, comprising of all political parties in Swaziland; 6. That all members of SWAYOCO and PUDEMO whom have been banned from that country should have those bans lifted and they be allowed into the country. 7. That there be proper plans to deal with the HIV/AIDS pandemic which is killing the population, 8. That state resources be redirected from servicing the Royal Family and be used to serve the needs and interest of the people.

As members of the Young Communist League and the seven other organisations present here, we will continue to raise our concerns on behalf of the abused and downtrodden Swaziland people until they realise the freedoms they fought for against colonial rule.