Swaziland democratic movement in need of legal aid. Families of 14
detainees in need of assistance.

In recent weeks a wave of arrests has hit the democratic movement,
People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), in Swaziland. IB Dlamini,
general secretary of PUDEMO, was also arrested late last week, and is
facing charges of treason.

Together with the trade union movement and other civil society
organizations, the banned democratic movement PUDEMO has throughout the
years sought to further democratic constitutional reform in Swaziland.

Bail has been denied to the 14 detainees. The first reports of
mistreatment have emerged. The wife of one of the detainees has also
apparently died through police abuse. The police also attempted to
interrupt a prayer meeting on the occasion of her funeral.

Under the pretext of a series of fire bombings last year, the royal regime
seems intent on crushing the democratic opposition in the country. A
considerable number of members of the democratic opposition have sought
safety across the border in neighbouring South Africa.

Swaziland’s prolonged constitutional crisis and the absence of an
independent legal system places those detained in an extremely precarious
position. At present, the assistance of South African legal counsel is
being sought.

In cooperation with the democratic movement in Swaziland, the Danish
solidarity organization Southern Africa Contact is seeking to mobilize
international opinion and to raise financial assistance for the legal
defense of the detainees and for the support of their families.

Contributions can be made to The MANDELA FUND: BG Bank, Norre Voldgade 68,
1358 Copenhagen K, Denmark. SWIFT-BIC: DABADKKK. Registration Number:
0274. Account Number: 3327000.

The MANDELA FUND is a registered national collection in Denmark. All
contributions will be forwarded in full to the democratic movement and its
legal counsel.


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Patrick Mac Manus - Sydafrika Kontakt
Southern Africa Contact - Denmark
Wesselsgade 4kld - DK2200 Copenhagen N - Denmark
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Phone: (+45) 35 35 92 32 (SAC) or
Mobil: (+45) 22 45 41 78
www.sydafrika.dk
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