Union of Journalists of South Sudan or UJOSS and CEPO, urge Media Authority of South Sudan, Information Commission and the Communication Authority, to take the lead towards ending impunity against journalists.
UJOSS and Community Empowerment for Progress Organization or CEPO’s request, come ahead of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against journalists in South Sudan.
In a statement sent to CRN, UJOSS and CEPO call for an end to all crimes and threats against media personnel.
“However, as we approach the day, we call for an end to all crimes and threats against journalists and urge all relevant stakeholders in the country, including members of the security personnel to respect the work which journalists do”, reads part of the statement.
The organization and UJOSS appeal to all stakeholders, including security personnel, to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists in the country.
The two institutions say they are concerned about the persistent increase in the assaults, threats, intimidations, arrests and detentions of journalists as well as closure of media houses.
“The issue of impunity against journalists in South Sudan is real and clear evidence that freedom of expression and the rights to information is still problematic in the country,” said Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO.
Yakani added “The development of the code of conduct for journalist by the Media Authority of South Sudan is a great step towards correcting the situation of impunity against journalists. CEPO and UJOSS will partner with the Media Authority to disseminate the journalists’ code of conduct”.
UJOSS and CEPO appeal to South Sudan authorities to always investigate cases involving journalists, before taking any action.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2nd November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ in General Assembly Resolution.
The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2nd November 2013.
This year’s day, highlights the instrumental role of prosecutorial services, investigating and prosecuting not only killings, but also threats of violence against journalists.