Swaziland's new Maguga dam, with its promise of regional benefits, is not merely the largest public works project in this tiny African kingdom's history. It seems a throwback to a time when dams were erected as an automatic answer to myriad problems.

The farm of Lion Mahlalela, a headman in the Mananga area to the far north of the country, is the last Swazi homestead before a barbed wire fence that announces the "no-man's land" separating the kingdom from South Africa.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions deplores the decision that, at the request of the prosecution, the trial of Swaziland opposition leader, Mario Masuku, is to be held behind closed doors. Only his immediate family, pastor and lawyers will be allowed to attend. COSATU is further concerned that the charges against Mario Masuku are two counts of “sedition”, related to remarks he made at two political meetings, which it is alleged “undermined the authority of the king”. This clearly shows that he is being charged for making political statements and exercising the right to free speech. This could only be deemed an “offence” in a country where basic human rights are denied.

A long denial of its AIDS dilemma will transform Africa's smallest country into a destination for foreign migrant workers, to the dismay of a national leadership that seeks to keep the character of the traditional kingdom of Swaziland intact in the 21st century.

The political landscape in Swaziland is daily changing due to the intensified brutality and terror of a desperate regime. This desperacy is met with the untiring resolve of the struggling masses of our country to meet fire with fire. This last week saw a huge turn out at a National Prayer service for the jailed President of PUDEMO – Cde Mario Masuku, just a few days before the beginning of the 10-days marathon trial in the capital city of Swaziland, Mbabane, which begins on the 24th January, 2002.

On 16 September 2001, the Swaziland government announced a five-year sex ban for young women in an attempt to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. This means that during the five-year period, young women will have to observe a five-year prohibition on sex which includes no shaking of hands with males, no wearing of pants and in addition, young women will have to wear woolen tassels (symbolizing their untouchability) wherever they go for the next five years. The age group targeted has not been clearly stated, but women who are in relationships and older than 19 years will be expected to wear red and black tassels, and those still virgins will wear blue with yellow. This new intervention will be policed by traditional chiefs who still rule over much of Swazi society. Anyone who fails to observe the rules would be fined 1,300 Emalangeni (about $152) or one cow.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions deplores the attack by armed police on the press conference called by the Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU) on Friday 19 October. It condemns the assault on journalists and the attack on free speech that this incident represents.

COSATU strongly condemns the arrest and detention of Mario Masuku, the President of Swaziland’s People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), on 4 October.

The South African Communist Party has condemned the arrest of five executive members of the Swaziland Youth Congress, who could be charged with sedition.

The editor of Swaziland's state-owned newspaper was shot dead on Monday morning, apparently in an attempted carjacking, agencies reported.

The Swazi government has come under fire for trying to enforce Umchwasho, a cultural practice encouraging young women to keep their virginity, in an effort to fight Aids.

Swaziland has been identified as one of the countries in SADC which has been the hardest hit by the HIV/Aids pandemic. According to a recent report 24% to 36% of the population aged between 15-49 are living with Aids.

Mswati III has backed off on an earlier proclamation limiting rights. "That such an inward-looking, diehard government can respond in this way underscores how influential the liberal democratic value system has become in the world."

Amnesty International is gravely concerned over the threat posed for human rights in Swaziland by the recently issued law, Decree No.2. The Decree, issued by the Head of State, King Mswati III, on 22 June 2001 further restricts the exercise of fundamental rights that had already been hampered by the longstanding suspension of the country's constitution and bill of rights.

The Royal Decree of 22 June 2001, which allows banning of publications without appeal, denies bail for an unlimited range of offences and raises the penalties for defamation, is a further reminder of official hostility towards the independent media and critical voices. A new report from ARTICLE 19, the Global Campaign for Free Expression, calls for urgent reform to guarantee fundamental human rights. The report will be launched at the annual meeting of MISA Swaziland, on 30 June 2001.

The Government of Swaziland has banned the print version of the "Guardian" newspaper from circulating in the country, in the wake of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration. The newspaper has been blamed for not fulfilling all the requirements under the country's media laws, though the paper has indeed met all of the requirements. The Nation magazine has been banned as well.