Army personnel unlawfully detained and ill-treated more than 130 civilians since February 2013 in response to armed violence and inter-communal fighting in Lakes state.
Human Rights Watch said in it report issued on Monday that soldiers rounded up dozens of young men, often detaining others if they couldn’t find the suspects they were seeking, and held them in harsh conditions for weeks or months without charge.Witnesses described roundups by soldiers, detention, beatings of civilians as √É’rough justice’ in Lakes State.
Human Rights Watch interviewed more than 15 former detainees and family members of current detainees, government officials and other witnesses to arrests in Rumbek, Lakes state in April and May.
Human Rights Watch Africa Director Daniel Bekele said “having soldiers round up, detain, and beat civilians is no way to resolve conflict or to strengthen the country’s justice system.”
He added that “civilians should never be held in military detention or subjected to this kind of illegal, inhumane treatment.”