Swaziland Universal Periodic Review Report Adoption
As delivered by Flacelia Celsula
Delegation of the United States of America
Human Rights Council 33rd Session
Geneva,
September 22, 2016
The United States welcomes the delegation from the Kingdom of Swaziland to the UPR Adoption session.
We welcome the Government’s decision to accept our recommendations related to ensuring respect for and protection of freedoms of association and peaceful assembly, an independent judiciary, and the rights of women and children. We urge the Government to take seriously its commitment to these recommendations and to fully implement them in deed and spirit.
Although we are pleased with the Kingdom of Swaziland’s support for these recommendations, we remain deeply concerned that the latest set of reforms of the Suppression of Terrorism Act and Public Order Act continue to suppress individuals’ exercise of their freedom of association and right of peaceful assembly. We urge the Government to take seriously its commitment to carry out this recommendation, to recognize the vital role of a robust civil society, and to take the necessary steps to create a society in which individuals can assemble freely and without fear.
We look forward to seeing your progress on implementing the UPR recommendations accepted by the Government over the course of the next five years, including amending laws and regulations governing the Judicial Service Commission, and quickly passing the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Bill.
Thank you.