South Sudan’s authorities urged to uphold media freedom, safety of all journalists – HRW
Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth speaking to the media during an event (Photo credit: supplied)
Nov 13th, 2019 (SSNN)-The rights group, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reminds the people of South Sudan, especially leaders, of their obligations to uphold press freedom, emphasizing that freedom of the press is an important pillar of democracy because it plays a pivotal role in keeping all citizens informed of public affairs and and most importantly monitoring actions of the government.
The statement came two weeks following an incident in which a senior SSPDF military officer serving as Director of Information and Public Relations, General Malak Ayuen violently assaulted and beaten two female journalists who were covering a a military briefing by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on 31 October 2019.
“South Sudanese have a lot to reflect and discuss regarding the future they want. They have a right to know, to demand answers from, and criticize their leaders. A free and vigorous press is essential to keeping the public informed and holding politicians and the powerful to account.”
The group, further urges South Sudan’s leaders to accelerate progress on pending issues and make use of the extended pre-transitional period to resolve critical outstanding tasks.
“Authorities should take advantage of their extra 100 days to engage in genuine, open public dialog on outstanding critical issues, such as legal and institutional reforms of the security sector and ensuring truth and justice for atrocities committed.”
The rights watchdog calls upon Kiir’s administration to unconditionally release all critics of the government who have been arbitrarily detained for criticizing the government.
“They should also lift restrictions on media freedoms, and ensure those arrested for criticizing the government are freed and those responsible for abuses are held to account.”
According to the Global Impunity Index, South Sudan has remained as one of the world’s deadliest countries for journalists
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