In mid-February, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that South Sudanese authorities detained 22 military and political figures, highlighting serious violations of human rights. This alarming trend prompted HRW to call for an end to the arbitrary detentions of opposition leaders, insisting on the necessity for authorities to disclose the detainees’ locations and ensure due process is upheld.
Among the arrested are prominent associates of opposition leader Riek Machar, including notable figures like Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, and Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol. HRW’s South Sudan researcher, Nyagoah Tut Pur, emphasised that the opacity surrounding these arrests contributes to instability in an already fragile context.
The National Security Service (NSS), the body implicated in these detentions, has not responded to inquiries regarding the detainees. HRW has previously highlighted concerns over the NSS’s extensive powers, which are often executed without proper legal oversight. In addition, HRW urged for an end to enforced disappearances, calling for intervention from international bodies to hold South Sudan accountable for these actions.
The concept of enforced disappearances, as defined by Article 2 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, highlights state agents’ role in unlawful arrests and the subsequent denial of the detainee’s status. Although South Sudan is not a signatory to this convention, international law prohibits such practices universally.
This crackdown on dissenting voices is particularly troubling amid escalating conflict in the Upper Nile region, where clashes between the government and armed groups have resulted in widespread displacement. The crisis was exacerbated on March 7 when an armed group attacked a UN helicopter engaged in a rescue operation, illustrating the dire security situation.
Human Rights Watch has urged South Sudan to halt arbitrary detentions of opposition figures, following the arrest of 22 individuals in February. These detentions are linked to instability within the nation, particularly involving opposition leader Riek Machar’s associates. HRW stresses the importance of transparency and legal processes, while international bodies are urged to intervene against enforced disappearances.
In summary, the situation in South Sudan remains critical as HRW calls for an immediate end to arbitrary detentions of opposition figures. The ongoing use of enforced disappearances only worsens the already fragile security landscape, highlighting the urgent need for legal transparency and international intervention. The recent escalation of violence in the region further emphasises the pressing need for comprehensive reform and accountability within the government’s security apparatus.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
