By Makur Adut

The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has strongly condemned the detention of members of civil society in Aweil, Northern Bhar el Ghazal State.

Daniel Laat Kon, the Coordinator of CEPO in Rumbek, Lakes State, condemned the unlawful detention of civil society organization leaders in Aweil.

“We have learnt that the Chairperson of CSOs Mr. Bulis Nguak Deng and his Secretary General Maria Angelo and Secretary of Finance Mr. Deng Teng Achien are being held in the national security office in Ghabat, Aweil town,” he said.  

Arrest followed the refusal by the leaders to hand over their stamp, certificate letterhead, Bank Account and the Constitution of the civil society organization network to the state authorities.

Laat said the interference by the State government in the civil society affairs was a violation of their constitution.

“The state leadership and the NSS don’t have rights to interfere in affairs of CSOs. Any misunderstanding within the CSOs network can be addressed by themselves using their legal framework (the Constitution) that governs their process.”

The activist said the arbitrary detention of their members constitutes a blatant disregard for fundamental human rights and democratic Principles.

This arrest violated Article 25 (1) under the South Sudan Constitution that protects the rights to freedom of assembly and association, said Laat. 

In light of this constitutional provision and reported violation of the members of the network’s rights, CEPO called on the authorities in Aweil to refrain from interfering with the work of the civil society organizations.

“We urge the government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State to investigate interference of national security into the affairs of CSOs and subsequently release detained chairperson of CSON together with his colleagues without any conditions,” he said  

Laat said that holding them incommunicado in Ghabat is a cruel and unusual punishment that contravenes both domestic and international law.

CEPO reiterated its firm commitment to upholding human rights and promoting accountability and respect to the rule of law in South Sudan.

“We call on stakeholders to respect CSOs and refrain from interfering in the affairs. We need protection, not detention,” Laat remarked.