S. Sudan law body condemns threats against Amum’s lawyers

August 15, 2013 (JUBA) – A South Sudan law body has strongly condemned threats against lawyers representing the ruling party (SPLM) Secretary General, Pagan Amum after he challenged President Salva Kiir decision to suspend him pending investigation into some of his actions.

Kiir ordered that Amum be investigated for the manner in which he administered the party. Amum was also banned from leaving the country or speaking to the media..

Five lawyers have, however, petitioned the country’s Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality the president’s order restricting Amum’s freedom of movement and expression.

Two of the petitioners, it has emerged, received text messages that reportedly threatened their lives and those of their families.

The wrongdoers, according to South Sudan Law Society (SSLS, have not been identified, but the circumstances suggest “public officials are involved.”

Samuel Dong Luak, one of the lawyers involved told Sudan Tribune Wednesday that indeed his life was in danger over the former SPLM secretary general’s case.

“My brother, I had to flee the country for my dear life after I was threatened,” Luak said from the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

South Sudan Law Society (SSLS), in a statement to Sudan Tribune, condemned in the “strongest” possible manner the death threats made against the advocates.

“We call for the government to conduct an immediate investigation to determine the source of the threats and to take the necessary actions to protect the advocates as they carry out their professional duties,” the body said.

(ST)