Opposition leader freed

The rights group Amnesty International has welcomed a Swazi High Court acquittal of opposition leader Mario Masuku on a charge of sedition. "This acquittal, following a lengthy trial, is a vindication of the accused and his right to participate in non-violent political activities. It is also confirmation of the integrity of the judicial process," Amnesty International said in a statement on Thursday. The charge against Masuku, leader of the opposition People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), was based on his involvement in a peaceful protest march in November 2000. Political parties are banned in Swaziland which is ruled by absolute monarch King Mswati III. "Mario Masuku as well as his family suffered considerable psychological, physical and economic hardships. He was arrested in November 2000, and released under oppressive bail conditions which he endured until October 2001. He was imprisoned later that month for breaching his bail conditions and remained in custody until his acquittal on 22 August 2002. He has on previous occasions, in the early 1990s, been detained, prosecuted and acquitted of treason and sedition," Amnesty said. "The government of King Mswati III and Prime Minister Subusiso Dlamini should respect the verdict of the court today and stop the persecution of opposition leaders such as Mario Masuku and others who are seeking non-violent solutions to the country's grave political, social and economic problems," the statement added. Amnesty called on the government to also repeal laws and decrees which restrict the rights to non-violent assembly, association and freedom of expression. Their continued use violates international human rights standards and creates the context for human rights violations by the police, the rights group said.