South Sudan Law Society Condemns Threats Made Against South Sudanese Lawyers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Juba, August 15, 2013 (SSNA) — Earlier this month, a group of five prominent South Sudanese advocates petitioned the Supreme Court of the Republic of South Sudan to challenge the constitutionality of an orderfrom the Chairperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) to restrict the freedom of movement and expression of the Secretary General of the SPLM.

Shortly thereafter, two of the advocates began to receive text messages threatening their lives and the lives of their families. The wrongdoers have not been identified, but the circumstances suggest public officials are involved.

The South Sudan Law Society (SSLS) condemns in the strongest possible manner the death threats made against these 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.

About the South Sudan Law Society (SSLS)

• The South Sudan Law Society (SSLS) is a civil society organization based in Juba. Its mission is to strive for justice in society and respect for human rights and the rule of law in South Sudan.
• The SSLS manages projects in a number of areas, including legal aid, community paralegal training, human rights awareness-raising and capacity-building for legal professionals, traditional authorities, and government institutions.