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()25( I reflect on King Charles III’s coronation, where leaders of many na tions, including Eswatini, witnessed it, I would like to comment on the issue of the $meri can 6enate’s resolution , which condemns the kingdom’s human rights record, and the need for independent and impartial investigations into the brutal killing of +uman 5ights /awyer Thulani Maseko and the need for firm commitment for the Kingdom of Eswatini on the national dialogue before elections.
The call for sanctions that has been made in the 86 3arliament has indeed come as a shock to government to the extent that their spin doctor issued statements that showed disagreement with the senator who led in this motion. This call has been welcomed by pro democracy groups that would like their country to transform to be fully democratic, embrace good governance and the rule of law, promote and protect rights of citi]ens among other things.
This call serves to indicate that Eswatini is part of the global community. :hen the 8niversal 'eclaration on +uman 5ights was adopted in by the 81 in against the backdrop of two global wars, it was a commitment to dignity of all humans regardless of race, colour, gender and nationality to mention a few. These rights are universal, indivisible and inalienable. The words of then 8nited 1ations 6ecretary *eneral, 'arg +ammarskMold, when he said; ³The 8nited 1ations was not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in order to save us from hell,´ remain valid as they were half a century ago.
Independence
Eswatini, at independence, Moined the commu nity of nations and adopted the universal human rights which are enshrined in the 005 Constitu tion. Every country’s human rights situation is always documented so that each country is held accountable; Eswatini is no different. The call for sanctions is an incentive for Eswatini’s authorities to address the human rights violations. 6ince the -une 0 killings, which the +uman 5ights and Integrity reported that over 00 were shot and
died and further stressed that the figures are not conclusive, nothing has been done, Civil society organisations estimated that there were around
00 fatalities. 8nfortunately death in the hands of security forces has continued with impunity as no investigations are done to bring perpetrators to book. *overnment should learn from countries that have been sanctioned before and take the necessary steps to address the concerns raised to avoid sanctions than the arrogance shown by its public spokesperson.
Back to today’s topic, the coronation of King Charles III was indeed a watershed moment and it attracted millions around the world who were supportive and there were, unfortunately, detractors. In a democratic country all had space to express their sentiments. Many, who abhor the British Empire’s past, had a lot to say about the coronation.
:hat attracted me the most, as a student of leadership, was when King Charles affirmed that he was there to serve. 3rince :illiam noted that King Charles, for over 50 years, dedicated his life to service England and the Commonwealth. +e took up issues of the environment when it was not yet a global issue, supported millions of young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, to realise their ambitions. The prince noted that King Charles acknowledged that people of all faiths, all background and all communities deserved to be celebrated.