A human rights activist called upon the Government of Southern Sudan to apologize to women for police harassment over the weekend because they were dressed in tight cloths.
Edmund Yakani told SCR News that a government official should explain to the public who gave the order to the police officers to beat women over their clothing.Mr Yakani added that the region is in a sensitive period preparing for the referendum.
He noted that South Sudanese are looking at the referendum as the way for independence that will grant them freedom.
Mr Yakani added that such police acts might discourage some citizens from participating in the referendum.
Mr. Yakani twinned the police’ behaviour with the law keepers in the north saying it was like implementing the Sharia laws.
He added that the incident came a few days after president al-Bashir declared that the north would tighten Islamic laws if the south voted for independence.
Recently graduated police officers were harassing young women in Juba over the long weekend because they were wearing tight cloths.
The incidents took place over the Christmas celebrations in Juba and upset many residents.