Press Statement: SSHURSA condemns killings of journalists in South Sudan
2 November 2017 Press Statement to mark the International Day to end impunity for crimes against journalists
South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy (SSHURSA) condemns killings of journalists and calls on the world to end impunity for crimes against journalists
November 3, 3017 (SSB) — The 2 November, marks the International Day to end impunity for crimes against journalists. SSHURSA condemns in strongest terms possible the continued killings and all crimes against journalists in the world. Journalists are mirrors which reflect the nature of any society, killing them by the repressive regimes and political organizations is equivalent to destroying the mirror and the voice of the society. SSHURSA calls on the world’s body; the United Nations and other responsible governments to strongly stand up and take tangible measures against harassment and killings of journalists. It is the responsibility of every responsible state to end impunity for crimes against journalists. The United Nations should exert maximum pressure on all states including South Sudan which are hostile to the journalists.
South Sudan, since its independence in 2011, has lost a number of journalists and writers among whom including the following:
- Musa Mohammed; killed on 25 January 2015. Worked with South Sudan Radio, Wau Western Bahr el Ghazal.
- Boutros Martin; killed on 25 January 2015. Worked with South Sudan Television, Western Bahr el Ghazal.
- Dalia Marko; killed on 25 January 2015. Worked with Raja Radio Station, Western Bahr el Ghazal.
- Randa George; killed on 25 January 2015. Worked with Raja Radio Station, Western Bahr el Ghazal.
- Adam Juma; killed on 25 January 2015. Worked with Raja Radio Station, Western Bahr el Ghazal.
- Isaiah Diing Abraham Chan Awuol; killed on 5 December 2012 in Juba. A writer and political commentator.
- Pow James Reath; killed on 20 May 2015 in Akobo County. Worked with Radio Tamazuj.
- Peter Julius Moi; killed on 19 August 2015 in Juba. Worked with Corporate Weekly Newspaper.
- Clement Lochio; was disappeared in Eastern Equatoria in August 2015. Worked before with Gurtong Trust.
- John Gatluak Manguet; killed on 11 July 2016, at Terrain hotel in Juba. Worked with the Community Internews Radio, Juba.
- Christopher Allen; killed on 26 August 2017 in Kaya town at South Sudan-Uganda borders. An American journalist who covered the events of the ongoing civil war in South Sudan.
SSHURSA calls on the world to hold South Sudan accountable for the murder of the above and other journalists who have been disappeared in South Sudan. The right to life and dignity of every journalist and writer should be protected under collective responsibility to protect universal values of human rights.
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