This archive report was first published on 2 November 2021.
Published on November 2, 2021, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the Eswatini government to agree to an independent, international investigation into the killings and human rights violations that occurred during the deadly crackdown on protests in June.
According to HRW, hundreds of people have been injured since the demonstrations first erupted in June, resulting in the worst unrest to hit the usually peaceful former British colony.
Forty-six people were killed in June, while at least 245 others suffered gunshot wounds, as per a recent report by a local rights group cited by HRW.
Surviving victims have alleged that they were shot by the military, HRW stated.
"The Eswatini government should urgently agree to an independent, international investigation into all of the killings and any other human rights violations resulting from excessive use of force," said Dewa Mavhinga, the HRW's Southern Africa director.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was due to visit Eswatini on Tuesday for talks with King Mswati III on "political and security developments" in the kingdom, Pretoria said.
HRW's call comes as the UN human rights office had pointed to allegations of "disproportionate and unnecessary use of force, harassment and intimidation" by security forces sent in to quell the June protests.
