The European Union has expressed concern over what it termed as ‘unnecessary and disproportionate force’ utilised to suppress the expression of peaceful protestors.

The discontent follows a recent protest by civil society groups who called on the government to address various issues affecting the health sector.

The activists told the government to shake up the health sector by ensuring proper services at Juba Teaching Hospital. A day before the protest, a local artist Trisha C succumbed after being involved in a deadly accident at Mobil roundabout in Juba. Her death was widely blamed on negligence by the medics at the hospital. For instance, the group accused the medics of laxity, failing to provide blood to the singer despite donors offering to help her. 

In a document seen by the City Review, the EU embassies of France, Germany, and the Netherlands, Office of the Swedish Embassy in Juba stated that arrest of activists raised concerns on the failure to honour people’s constitutional rights to peacefully protest.

 “Their swift relief is commendable and Team Europe assumes that exercising their constitutional right will have no consequences for their safety,” the statement read.

The statement also specified that in supporting the implementation of the Peace Agreement, the European Union is stressing that it is imperative to guarantee every citizen the right to the freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.

“This entails allowing all kind of political expressions in the country, including peaceful demonstrations, with the view to assure, inter alia, the success of the permanent constitution-making that shall be led and owned by the people of South Sudan,” the document read.  

The EU has also expressed its readiness to deepen its partnership with South Sudan to ensure reforms are undertaken and the necessary space for civil society is guaranteed.