Norwegian Labour Party criticises Mswati

The largest political party in the Norwegian parliament, the Norwegian Labour Party Arbeiderpartiet, criticised the absolute monarchy of Swaziland in a resolution presented at its national congress.

– Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is one of the world’s last absolute monarchies. King Mswati has almost absolute power. While the population of Eswatini suffers from partial extreme poverty, the king lives an extravagant life of luxury.  Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV-Aids-infection per capita. But treating those who are infected or preventing further spread of the disease is not a priority, a statement from the Norwegian Labour Party Arbeiderpartiets national congress reads.

King Mswati must be criticized for neglecting the humanitarian needs of his own people, including hunger, as well as for the silencing of oppositional voices, the statement, titled “Stronger together: a safer and better organized world”, adds.

– The citizens of Eswatini are forced to follow the orders of the king. Organised opposition is restricted and union leaders and oppositional forces are persecuted. Norway must take greater responsibility for securing the needs of the people of Eswatini internationally, the statement concludes.

The statement also criticises international tax evasion and the lack of action in regard to global warming, amongst an array of other issues.