South Sudan MPs to probe Human Rights abuses in W. Equatoria

February 9, 2010 (JUBA) – Lawmakers in the southern Sudan parliament will investigate three senior government officials for what rights activists say were “human right abuses” during antiriot crackdown by security forces in Western Equatoria

80 students were injured, harassed and beaten, after Yambio’s 5th anniversary celebrations of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) when Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers shot rounds of live bullets and riot police attacked, unexpectedly.

The badly wounded are recuperating from their wounds, thanks to Ugandan Army in the region treating the wounded, as the state run hospital lack basic medical supplies to cope with over 80 injuries.

The three senior officials charged are: Governor of Western Equatoria Stae, Minister of SPLA Affairs and Minister of Internal Affairs in the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS).

In an interview with Miraya FM, Acting Speaker of Assembly, Daniel Deng Monydit, the three officials were in charge of security in the south and must appear before parliament to answer questions raised by August House.

Monydit further added that a seven-member committee has been formed to carry out investigations on Yambio’s incident.

Over 700 students had converged in Yambio on January 21 to participate in the celebrations, each was promised SDG30 for being involved

A similar committee was set in at State level Legislative assembly in Western Equatoria State.

Until now nobody in Western Equatoria has taken responsibility for ordering live bullets on innocents civilians.

Unconfirmed report has emerged that, there is counter finger pointing between the state governor and Commissioner of police into who might have ordered the crackdown.

Since then, life has normalized on the streets of WES, however the civilians remain unhappy with the state government as they wait to hear from state authorities.

Many lost properties during the crackdown, among other items lost were monies, mobile phones and other personal belongings.

State Governor during a recorded and emotional radio broadcast has apologized for the civil crackdown by security forces and state police.

Observers say, state governor Jemma Nunu Kumba may lose votes for having failed to stop the army from harassing young boys and girls who had constitutionally demanded their rights through peaceful demonstration before angered by police to violence demonstration.

(ST)