Civil society group condemns the execution of two underage brothers in Juba
National Civil Rights Alliance, a South Sudanese civil society group, strongly condemns the execution of two underage brothers in Juba, South Sudan
July 2, 2017 (SSB) — Explanation about the Execution of two underage brothers.
- Two brothers, Orenga Tom Goro and his younger brother Ayela Philip Goro were put to death today 27th June 2017 at Juba Central Prison.
- The two brothers were brought from Torit, Imatong State after they were convicted of murder in 2015 for killing their uncle.
- A family member who brought this information to us from Torit, alleged that the two brothers killed their uncle after they accused him of having a sexual relationship with their sister.
- She believed the two were still underage children, a claim which can be very serious and the bases of this press release.
- They were smuggled out of Torit a week ago and nobody knew were they are until tempers nearly run out of hand and the families were told they have been taken to Juba for their appeal hearing, only to turn out they have been executed.
- National Civil Rights Alliance is dismayed that the government is still retaining the use of death penalty which runs counter to global move and commitment to end the use of capital punishment if these allegations are true.
- We urge the government to impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty with a view to reviewing the country’s position and moving towards abolition.
- We are also greatly concerned by government’s use of the death penalty on person below the age of 18 in contravention of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan and the UN safeguards guaranteeing the protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty which provides that death penalty should be imposed only for the most serious crimes, and that a death sentence should not be imposed for crimes committed by persons below 18 or carried out on pregnant or nursing women, or persons who have become insane.
- We are especially concerned about violations of fair trial standards in our country’s judicial system, particularly the right of accused persons to legal assistance, and leaving many unable to adequately prepare their defence or to appeal convictions.
- It is also important that the government increase public information and transparency about its use of the death penalty when the country is talking about reconciliation and healing.
- Practical steps towards this end must include, releasing figures on the number of executions carried out so far, number of people on death row in the country, providing notification when executions are set to occur; and making publicly available all judicial decisions regarding death sentences and decisions by the President to confirm or commute death sentences.
- The accessibility of such information is of particular importance in facilitating informed discussion about substantive constitutional provisions such as the right to life and the use of death penalty on under aged minors.
- We call on the president to immediate evoke and adhere to the United Nations Resolution 71/187 on Moratorium on the use of the death penalty adopted by the General Assembly on 19 December 2016.
- NCRA decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Dong Mel, President
Nairobi, Kenya
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