Amnesty International (AI) has called on the authorities in Eswatini to investigate police shooting of a protester and stop excessive use of force.

Local media reports say a protester is in a critical condition in hospital after being shot in the head by Eswatini security forces outside parliament.

It is understood that the protester was shot as more than 10,000 protesters marched to the United States Embassy to submit a petition following the arrest and detention of two members of parliament

‘It is shocking that someone who had merely been exercising their right to freedom of expression is now lying badly injured in a hospital bed’, AI’s Director for East and Southern Africa, Deprose Muchena, said.

‘The Eswatini authorities have shown no remorse nor restraint in their brutal response to peaceful protests in the country.

‘Instead of listening to the genuine complaints of protesters, including their demands that activists are freed, human rights are protected and reforms undertaken, authorities have allowed this crackdown to continue’.

A series of ongoing protests in Eswatini against the monarchy and for democratisation began in late June 2021. According to AI, over 70 persons have been killed by security forces during the protests.

Protests by mainly young people were triggered when the government banned the delivery of petitions calling for unbanning of political parties.

Source: Amnesty International

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