A coalition of media and rights organizations said harassment and unlawful detention of journalists are undermining freedom of expression in South Sudan.
Agency for Independent Media, Amnesty International, Committee to Protect Journalists, and Human Rights Watch said on a statement to mark World Press Freedom Day that since South Sudan’s independence, security forces intimidated and unlawfully arrested and detained journalists in a regular basis.The organizations are calling for an end to the harassment and have documented multiple cases, many at the hands of the National Security Service or NSS.
NSS’ mandate and functions have never been established by law and the security organ does not have any authority to arrest and detain people.
Africa director at Human Rights Watch Daniel Bekele said “the South Sudanese authorities have done far too little to end unlawful detention of media workers in recent years.”
He added that “the government should rein in its security forces and investigate and prosecute all attacks on journalists.”
South Sudan dropped 12 places in the Reporters without Borders 2013 World Press Freedom Index Ð to place number 124 out of 180 countries ranked Ð due to the heavy handedness by the security forces in dealing with journalists.
The organizations further call on the Government to carry out prompt, effective and impartial investigations into all allegations of threats and attacks against journalists and media workers, and hold those responsible to account.