"International Student Movement"

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Solidarity Statement for the Democracy Movement and Political Prisoners in Swaziland

Activists on the International Student Movement - Africa (ISM-Africa) platform decided to call for the Global Day of Action to Free Maxwell Dlamini and All Political Prisoners on September 5th 2011.
Details on the current situation in Swaziland as well as the "Maxwell case" can be accessed through these videos and this entry.

During a federal meeting of education activists in Gießen (August 12-14th) a few people decided to encourage groups and organisation to endorse the following statement to express their solidarity with the democracy movement in Swaziland. As part of the global day of action on September 5th this declaration together with the list of supporters will be delivered at the Swazi consulates in Berlin and Düsseldorf. Furthermore it will be published online and forwarded to activists involved in the democracy movement in Swaziland itself.

Groups and organisations in Germany are asked to express their support for the statement via ism.africa@gmail.com by September 4th or leave a comment to this entry below.

For the immediate release of Maxwell Dlamini and all political prisoners in Swaziland

On April 12th this year Maxwell Dlamini, president of the Swaziland National Union of Students, was arrested based on unfounded accusations that he was in possession of explosive material during a protest. His arrest is the result of his dedication against tuition fees and for students' rights, especially against the scholarship policies, which are being implemented by the Swazi government without the students involvement.

In May Maxwell wrote his exams in prison and passed his diploma in commerce. He is now supposed to automatically enroll in a degree programme, however he is academically frustrated since he is behind bars.
In reaction to these circumstances a Free Maxwell campaign was initiated. Furthermore at the beginning of August activists on the International Student Movement - Africa (ISM-Africa) platform decided to call for a "Global Day of Action to Free Maxwell Dlamini and All Political Prisoners" for today, September 5th.

Since the accusations are unfounded, and until now it was not possible to present proof for his case, we demand, together with the National Congress for Democratic Change Youth Assembly (NACODEC Youth Assembly) in Swaziland and other indignant and concerned people around the world the immediate release of Maxwell as well as all political prisoners. Currently the government of Swaziland holds at least five political prisoners, because they are heavily involved in the ongoing struggle for democracy and human rights as well as for social and economic progress in the region.

According to various reports activists were also repeatedly tortured in prison. The access to them is being denied to family members and friends. Their state of health is continously deteriorating each day, while proper medical assistance is denied. They are being detained based on flimsy accusations, because the government feels that their activism threatens the rule of King Mswati III.

The government denies detaining political prisoners. Furthermore it refuses to accept that there are political refugees leaving Swaziland. We know that it lies!

By endorsing this statement we spread awareness regarding the unacceptable conditions in Swaziland and in consequence demand the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Swaziland. The repression of activists who are struggling for democracy and freedom must stop! We stand united in solidarity with activists and groups who are coming together as part of the "Global Day of Action to Free Maxwell and All Political Prisoners" today, and stand up for the immediate release of Maxwell and all political prisoners. The day of action is another step towards the legalisation of progressive political movements in Swaziland and around the world.

Organisations and groups endorsing the statement:

Campusgrün (CampusGreen) federal board, green - greener alternative university groups

Free Education Movement Marburg (freedumm)

Student representative body at the Technical University of Berlin (AStA TU Berlin)

Student representative body at the University of Bielefeld (AStA Bielefeld)

Student representative body at the University of Bremen (AStA Bremen)

Student representative body at the Justus-Liebig-University of Gießen (AStA Gießen)

Student representative body at the Philipps-University of Marburg (AStA Marburg)

Student representative body at the University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen (AStA TH Mittelhessen)

Socialist Unity Party Marburg (SEM)

Erik Marquardt, fzs (free association of student representative bodies) board

Sonja Zacharia