Woman activist stands up against corruption, and now faces threats to her life in Lake State, South Sudan
Woman activist stands up against corruption, and now faces threats to her life in Lake State, South Sudan
Kampala, Uganda – April 4, 2011
Statement by SIHA Network
The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network is strongly concerned about the safety of one of its most active members, and former member of the Board of SIHA, Ms Karak Mayik Nyok. Ms Nyok has been working with women in South Sudan since early 2000. She relocated herself to Lake State, Rumbek in 2005, where she substantially contributed to the promotion of women rights and the advancement of their living condition. As of early 2011 she has been experiencing severe harassment and was threatened many times by some of the high commander officers of the army in Rumbek.
More than once, she was asked for money and goods and most recently, a high commading officer demanded that she hand over her organisation’s office vehicle. When she refused to give the vehicle, since it is the property of the organization and she does not want to be forced to act dishonestly, Karak Nyok was threatened more than once inside her office compound that she will be ambushed if she does not hand in the vehicle. Ms Karak Nyok now strongly fears for her safety.
Karak immediately reported the sequence of incidents to the local authorities. However, Ms Nyok believes that there is little probability serious take actions will be taken, as she said, “often women are not taken seriously when reporting threats”.
SIHA is appealing to the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) to act against these forms of intimidation and threats against women human rights defenders and activists and to support and promote their work and value their contribution. On behalf of women activists we call on GoSS to end impunity and enforce the rule of law upon its people. The international community and human rights organizations should speak out against the violations of the rights of women activists.
About SIHA: The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa –SIHA is a network of civil society organizations from North and South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Somaliland and Uganda and is now comprised of over 40 member organizations. SIHA is advocating for social change and gender equality for men and women in the Horn of Africa and working specifically on: gender equality, eliminating violence against women and girls, promoting human rights, peace building and conflict transformation, enhancing women’s leadership and political participation and production and dissemination of knowledge.
For more information please contact [email protected].
Cibaipiath Junub Sudan
Woman activist stands up against corruption, and now faces threats to her life in Lake State, South Sudan
Karak,
You might be lacking some grams of your brains or else you have no words. Your corruptions charges is mixed up and indeed, the subject and the body of your reports are totally disagreeing. You were in Lakes State particularly for women and building economy for women. This reports of yours will not give you any more money from SIHA or the Multi-donor trust fund or the World Bank. This report is useless. This Senior commanders you are accussing are not in the bush any more. And for sure there are no commanders any more. What is a Commander? If you do not know what commander is please stop fabrications. Any officer being in the SPLA or Other Organised forces (Police, Prison, Wildlife and Fire brigade) and living in Rumbek all have the names. I do not understand why your accussation failed short to mention the names of corrupt commander(s) who wanted to take your vehicle by force.
When you talk of all commanders in Lakes State that they are corrupt than any passby commander(s) with forces will ambush you and kill you. You cause yourself insecurity. Why do you lie in public for the security/fear you have created to yourself?
I am sorry to have responded to this article lately, however, i believe anyone may get it through this live line. I disregraded this article that it is a fishy article meant to generate more money. Karak you are more corrupt than unnamed officers. With this article you will not get a single coin like some notes you paid for this article to be posted.
I am not an officer but an observer who speak the truth.
Catch 22
Woman activist stands up against corruption, and now faces threats to her life in Lake State, South Sudan
I don’t know Ms Karak personally, but have seen the great work she has been doing during my many visits to Rumbek, Lakes State. It is a shame that few of the hard working women we have in this country are being subjected to untold harassment and intimidation. The government of Lake state should address this issue as a matter of urgency and have the generals court martial. This is some of the behaviors that make people loose confidence in their government and take law in to their hands. It is important that the civil population is protected and allow to enjoy their constitutional right.