CP of Swaziland, Communist Party of Swaziland supports rights of LGBTIQ+ community

1/23/20 2:16 PM
  • Swaziland, Communist Party of Swaziland En Africa Communist and workers' parties

The refusal by the Mswati autocracy to recognise and register an organisation that advocates for LGBTIQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer+) rights, on the basis that it is "annoying" is a clear sign of a regime out of touch with society. Such refusal to recognise the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community is an inherent part of the regime's dictatorial ways, aimed at suppressing the rights of the people as a whole. The Communist Party of Swaziland stands with the LGBTIQ+ community and calls for the recognition and respect of their rights. LGBTIQ+ rights are human rights.

Ever since political parties and political activities were banned in Swaziland on 12 April 1973, the absolute monarchy has had to rely on quelling any kind of organisation that it suspects could be independent of the regime’s direct control. The attack on the LGBTIQ+ community follows on the crushing of various organisations of workers, women, the unemployed, students, as well as political parties. The regime’s attack therefore is in the context of an undemocratic regime desperate to cling to power. In this latest act of suppression, the regime aims to deepen social exclusion, marginalisation and stigma on anyone who identifies as part of the LGBTIQ+ community, and thus divide and rule over the whole population of Swaziland.

The Communist Party of Swaziland calls for maximum unity among all oppressed sectors in Swaziland – including Women, Workers, Peasants, Youth and Students. Thorough education of society on LGBTIQ+ rights must also be urgently undertaken, including within the mass democratic movement. There will be no marked advancement of people's rights, particularly the right to one's sexuality, under the tinkhundla regime led by sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarchy. It is for this reason that the Communist Party of Swaziland reiterates the call for the complete dismantling of the Mswati autocracy and the creation of true people's power.

Issued by the Communist Party of Swaziland