Thulani Maseko Lecture
Thulani Rudolf Maseko (1 March 1970 - 21 January 2023)
Thulani Maseko was assassinated on 21 January 2023. He was shot dead in front of his family in his home south of Mbabane, Eswatini, in what can only be described as a targeted killing.
Thulani was a human rights defender of great and justified reputation. He was deeply dedicated to human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Eswatini. He slept, breathed, ate and walked human rights. He was also a spirited and committed public intellectual, not shying away from the risk of taking public positions at odds with that of the powerful monarchy.
Thulani was a founder member of Lawyers for Human Rights (Swaziland), of which he became the Executive Director, and where he also served as a Trustee before stepping down in 2018. Thulani has worked for the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) for several years as a consultant based in Swaziland. He has for the last years worked as an attorney in private practice focusing mostly on human rights and constitutional litigation.
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On 12 June, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, in partnership with Corruption Watch and the Thulani Maseko Foundation, hosted the 2nd Annual Thulani Maseko Memorial Lecture in honour of the dedicated and tireless human rights defender, respected human rights lawyer and advocate for constitutional reform in Eswatini. The theme of this year's lecture was 'Lack of Accountability and Impunity in the Persecution of Human Rights Defenders'.
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The year 2023 marks 75 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was passed, yet the passing of Human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko on 21 January 2023 has demonstrated the long fight for human rights and democracy continues. With nearly half a year passed since the death of Thulani Maseko, there is still no justice and accountability.
“We are caught between hope and fear - hope for democracy and fear of being assassinated.” – Thulani Maseko.
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The Centre for Human Rights cordially invites you to Thulani Maseko`s memorial service under the theme: "Defending Civic Space and Protecting Human Rights Defenders in Southern Africa".
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Venue: Law Auditorium, Room 1-54 of the Law Building. University of Pretoria
Date: 3 February 2023 14:30 – 16:45 (SAST)
RSVP: inmemoryofthulani@gmail.com before 3 February 2023
