Rights group urges S. Sudan to respect media freedom

November 11, 2013 (JUBA) – A South Sudan’s human rights body has strongly urged the country’s authorities to respect the rule of law, freedom of speech, media and expression, which it said remains at the heart of democratic governance.

In a statement issued Friday, the South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy (SSHURSA) criticised the manner in which the South Sudanese government was handling the media, following a recent fall-out between the two arms.

“The minister [of information and broadcasting] ought to abide by the values for which South Sudan sacrificed millions of lives as it fought bloody wars of liberation against successive military dictatorships of North Sudan”, the organisation said.

SSHURSA said recent comments against the media attributed to information minister Michael Makuei Lueth were a clear attempt to intimidate the press community, a violation of Article 24 of the 2011 Transitional Constitution, which obliges all levels of government to guarantee the press freedom.

Last week, Lueth issued strongly-worded statements to the media fraternity, in which he warned that the government would not tolerate “irresponsible” and “baseless” reports.

He further said “all journalists operating in the country are required to re-submit their credentials”, for scrutiny or face sanction.

The minister’s remarks came in the aftermath of a story published by Sudan Tribune, alleging that president Salva Kiir had flown to South Africa for medical attention and was not in Kenya on an official visit, as was previously reported.

The story was disputed by government officials.

“His [the minister] intimidating words towards media practitioners show the destructive, bitter and dictatorial path South Sudan is going through”, SSHURSA said in the statement.

It called on Lueth to ensure the smooth transition to democracy, justice and equality; the values enshrined in South Sudan’s constitution, of which he was one of the key architects.

Meanwhile, the local rights body has urged the government and lawmakers to expedite the passing of the country’s media law, instead of harassing and intimidating journalists in the country.

South Sudan has no media bill and journalists operate without guidelines. The media regulatory bill was returned to parliament by Kiir in October for further deliberation.

(ST)