UN Human Rights in Eswatini

Profile

The Senior Human Rights Adviser (SHRA) supports the Resident Coordinator and works with the UN Country Team (UNCT) to integrate human rights into their programmes and activities; develop strategies and activities aimed at strengthening national capacities and institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights; and provide technical advice and facilitate engagement with international human rights mechanisms.

The OHCHR Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) is a non-resident member of the UNCT in Eswatini and was instrumental in the development of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). This is demonstrated by OHCHR being the alternate co-lead of Results Group 3 under the UNSDCF (governance, justice and human rights). The SHRA has been able to build on OHCHR ROSA’s relationship with the Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs, in particular with the National Monitoring and Reporting Framework (NMRF) and the Commission for Human Rights and Public Administration / Integrity (NHRI).

The deployment of a SHRA within the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office is a strategic entry point for the UN / OHCHR to advance the Secretary General’s Call to Action on Human Rights and the the Secretary General’s Prevention Agenda.

Achievements

• Following the civil unrest in 2021, in 2022, at the request of the Royal Eswatini Police Service, a joint UN police scoping mission was undertaken by OHCHR, UNDP and the UN Standing Police Capacity (DPPA) to integrate a human rights-based approach in policing in the context of public order management and policing in crises contexts. A report with recommendations was produced and endorsed by the National Police Commissioner. Follow-up on implementation of the recommendations is ongoing and an action plan has been developed.
• The SHRA in collaboration with UN agencies (UNICEF, UNDP and UNFPA) continued to provide technical assistance and capacity building to the Commission of Human Rights & Public Administration / Integrity (CHRPA). OHCHR provided technical and legal advice in relation to the draft Human Rights Bill to ensure CHRPA is in compliance with the Paris Principles. In 2023, the SHRA provided human rights training to potential legal aid lawyers, in preparation for the adoption of the Legal Aid Bill following a draft Legal Aid Policy that was endorsed by the Cabinet.
• To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the SHRA together with the UNCT (UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, WHO, WFP and UNFPA) partnered with the CHRPA, MTN, Bushfire (private sector), CANGO (NGOs), government departments (Ministry of Health and Deputy Prime Minister’s Office), and youth (youth parliament) to hold five live dialogues to enhance participation and enhance civic space to dialogue. Human rights issues discussed during the dialogues included freedom of expression, right to participate in cultural life, climate action and justice, right to health, right to a decent standard of living (including jobs and education) and gender and non-discrimination (including against marginalized groups and vulnerable populations – persons with disabilities, youth, women and LGBTQI).
• Prior to the national elections in 2023, the SHRA collaborated with the Canadian High Commission, the UK High Commission, the Coordinating Assembly of NGOs (CANGO), the eSwatini National Association of Journalists, Campaign for Free Expression and the Centre for investigative journalism in hosting training workshops targeting media professionals and journalists. The workshops were focused on building the capacity of journalists to integrate a human rights-based approach in their electoral reporting and coverage, by reporting independently, fairly, inclusively, and ethically.
• In 2023, with UPR Trust Funds, the SHRA partnered with other UN agencies (including UNFPA and UNDP), CSOs (African Women Peace and Development Foundation) and the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, to enhance women’s participation in public processes (a key UPR accepted recommendation) to encourage women to be nominated as candidates, and for women and men to vote for women through women’s empowerment, capacity building, civic education and a multi-media campaign. The multi-media campaign promoted women’s inclusion in leadership. Influencers with a large following produced a public service announcement in Siswati, and this was posted on social media platforms. The number of women nominated that ran in the national elections increased. Over 30 women were nominated as candidates to Parliament. The number of women elected and appointed in Parliament increased since the 2018 elections. For the first time, eight women were elected Members of Parliament by the Eswatini people, and four women Members of Parliament were appointed by His Majesty. The Senate has 13 women, eight were appointed by the King and five were elected, bringing the total number of women in Parliament to 25. In the Senate the number of women designated fell short of the 30 percent quota for women as per the Eswatini Constitution. Thus, regional elections were conducted in accordance with s.10 of the Election of Women Members to the House of Assembly Act 2018 and four additional regional Members of Parliament were elected. A woman was appointed by the King to the role of Deputy Prime Minister (for the second time in history). King Mswati III also appointed five women as Cabinet Ministers (Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Deputy Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies).
• Under the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) surge project in Eswatini, the SHRA in collaboration with the World Bank supported the integration of a human rights-based approach and a gender perspective in current World Bank projects. A comprehensive analysis of current World Bank projects in Eswatini from a human-rights, gender and Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) perspective was conducted, with regard to implementation of the SDGs and improving the level of respect for human rights in Eswatini, with a focus on ESCRs including the right to water and electricity. Consultations are being undertaken with key stakeholders, including with the private sector and civil society, with a focus on those at risk of being left behind, including at the community levels. In 2024, training workshops will be organized to capacitate right holders at the community level to make informed decisions. A report with concrete recommendations to integrate a human-rights based approach, gender perspective and LNOB analysis to policies, projects, and programmes in Eswatini will be produced. The report will inform and lay the foundation for the sustainability of the projects funded by the World Bank by strengthening engagement with stakeholders, including through the development of a dedicated civil society platform in Eswatini, the first in the sub-region.
• With the temporary deployment of surge capacity from the Prevention and Sustaining Peace Section of OHCHR, and with the support of UNOCC and OHCHR ROSA, a draft early warning and prevention tool was developed in collaboration with UN DEMT and the UNCT. The product allows for concise, easily digestible information on the main risk areas as identified by the UNCT/DEMT. The prevention tool can be expanded to include other risk areas and is also forward looking, taking into account risk and opportunities and facilitating the development of a joint-narrative and identification of possible joint actions.
• The SHRA / OHCHR with UPR Trust Funds, and in collaboration with UNDP, provided technical assistance and capacity building to the eSwatini National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow up (NMRF) secretariat on UN and regional human rights mechanisms. The SHRA supported a multi stakeholder approach to the development of a UPR implementation plan involving all key stakeholders including the Inter-Ministerial Committee, relevant technical focal persons within government departments, parastatals, The Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration/Intergrity (CHRPA), human rights defenders, civil society, academics, and the private sector. This is the first time a UPR implementation plan has been developed in Eswatini.
• The SHRA capitalized on the Resident Coordinator’s convening position, to coordinate and collaborate with seven UN entities including UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, WHO, IOM, UNESCO, and WFP. Working as One UN and adopting the whole of society approach, the SHRA partnered with all stakeholders including Government, private sector, and civil society for the first time to become a lead partner at the annual MTN Bushfire music festival (7th largest music festival in Africa, attended by 20,000 people in May 2023). The UN raised awareness, empowered youth and celebrated the 75th anniversary of the UDHR through activities both prior and during the music festival. During the Bushfire festival, a space called the Bring Your Fire Zone was utilized to inspire a call to action. The UN and partners showcased their programmes and work. Artists that performed on this stage raised awareness about the SDGs and human rights themes. For instance, one artist highlighted issues of gender-based violence and discrimination in her performance. Finally, some unemployed young persons were empowered and supported with paid internships during the Bushfire festival. 
• In the run up to the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the UDHR (UDHR 75), the SHRA / OHCHR in partnership with CHRPA (NHRI) and UNICEF conducted roadshows at the level of the municipalities targeting youth to broaden the support base for the UDHR. Influencers collaborated to draw crowds and convey messages in Siswati. User friendly animated guides on the UDHR and the Eswatini Constitution (Chapter III, Bill of Rights) were produced and disseminated as well as other promotional materials. TV and radio talk shows were also produced jointly with UNDP focusing on specific human rights themes (right to health, the UDHR and gender and non-discrimination). Activities also targeted key populations (including sex workers, prisoners, drug users and LGBTQI communities) to ensure no one is left behind in the context of HIV/AIDS, given that Eswatini has the highest per capita prevalence globally. The shows were broadcast and can also be found on YouTube, continually reinforcing the message. Viewers and listeners ranged from 30,000 – 450,000.
• With support from the EU, an art competition for youth was organized where youth selected their preferred article from the UDHR and depicted it using an art medium (poetry, infographic, painting or video). Over 100 young persons participated in the competition.

UN Human Rights Focus Areas

Last reviewed: January 2024