Swaziland, Ethiopia, Nigeria
Human rights 'D-day' in three African courtrooms 

afrol News, 24 January - Three court trials worrying human rights groups resume today; in Swaziland, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Mario Masuku, a Swazi political leader, Adams Oshiomhole, trade union leader in Nigeria and Taye Wolde Semayat, President of an Ethiopian teacher union represent three little known names imprisoned for struggling for basic freedoms in their own countries.

This very day will see these men in court and on trial, "testing the democratic credentials of three very different Africa states," according to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), which will be "closely monitoring the results".

Ethiopia
Doctor Taye Wolde Semayat, President of the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA), accused of destabilising public order, has been languishing in an Ethiopian prison since his arbitrary arrest in March 1996. 

For 6 years, he has consistently been denied the right to be judged for his alleged misdemeanours and faced brutal treatment in jail at the hands of his captors. His judgement day has finally been set for January 24, 2002 and already the signs for a fair trial are not good.

Swaziland
Mario Masuku, President of one of the main opposition parties in Swaziland, was arrested in November 2000 for exclaiming "away with his Majesty King Mswati's reign" at a bus stop in Mbabane. 

Masuku, a long-time defender of democracy, had been living under excessively stringent bail conditions until he was re-incarcerated in October 2001 for failing on one occasion to report to the local police station, even despite seriously deteriorating health.

Only his immediate family, his pastor and his lawyers will be allowed to listen in on the secretly held case, which is scheduled to start today. 

Nigeria
Adams Oshiomhole, President of the ICFTU affiliate, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), faces trial today for his organising role in the recent peaceful protests in Nigeria. The NLC were forced to take to the streets after negotiations with the government failed to prevent a 15.3 percent hike in fuel prices.

ICFTU General Secretary Bill Jordan said, "it is a coincidence that on January 24, 2002, democracy and basic rights should be on trial for different reasons in far apart countries in Africa. The ICFTU staunchly defends these principles across the world, and it is clear today that it is more than just these three men on trial, the results and the manner in which the trials are carried out will cast a judgement on the very nature of African democracy and justice.".

Sources: Based on ICFTU and afrol archives

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