The late Thulani Maseko was a courageous attorney who pioneered public interest, human rights, and constitutional litigation in the small, repressive mountain kingdom of Swaziland, Africa’s last absolute monarchy. He dedicated his career to ensuring that dissidents and ordinary citizens caught in the kingdom’s unfair justice system have adequate legal representation and a fair trial. He also spearheaded strategic litigation challenging repressive laws and sweeping royal decrees and mobilized other lawyers to defend the rule of law. Maseko was also a pro-democracy champion and corralled a coalition of church, political, and civil society groups to push for a peaceful, negotiated transition to democracy with the monarchy. Maseko endured threats, intimidation, and imprisonment until he was assassinated on Jan. 21, 2023, just hours after King Mswati III publicly threatened deadly violence against those who opposed his absolute rule.