Freed South Sudanese journalist details detention ArticleComments (6). Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Toby Collins November 7, 2011 (LONDON) – The South Sudan journalist detained since 21 October and released on 2 November has described his ordeal. James Okuk was accused during his detention of writing inflammatory articles and association with the opposition party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Democratic Change (SPLM-DC). Okuk, who also works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, cites the country’s interim constitution which states “no civil servant shall be favored or victimized because of his or her political opinion.” The leader of the opposition, Onyoti Adigo, told Daily Destiny newspaper that three officials, including James Okuk, allied with the SPLM-DC were arrested at gunpoint. In an article published by the South Sudan News Agency Okuk said “South Sudan Paradox: Joyful Independence, Sorry Leadership”, which was published by news agencies including Sudan Tribune, was one of the causes of his detention. Okuk described a detention in which he was denied basic human rights: “neither food nor water was provided by those who arrested me. I slept on a bare dirty ground without a cover. Rain beat me inside the cell at one of nights so badly. Going to outside toilet (though it was very dirty) at night was not allowed. The prisoner has to release himself inside the cell.” An article documenting Okuk’s arrest was written by the Sudan Tribune journalist, Ngor Garang, who remains detained by South Sudanese security service for writing an article criticising Salva Kiir, the President of South Sudan. Okuk writes that a term of his bail is a travel ban restricting him to remain in Juba, the South Sudan capital. (ST) PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION ASKING FOR NGOR TO BE RELEASED AND PASS THE LINK ON TO YOUR FRIENDS AND CONTACTS. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/... -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
