Press Statement: 20 August 2015
On behalf of my colleagues in Human Rights Society and on my own behalf, I send our heartfelt condolences to the family of fallen people’s voice Moi. We share this deep loss with the family for this is not only a great loss for Moi’s relatives and parents but for the nation and sad day like 5 December 2012 when Isaiah Abraham was gunned down by unknown gunmen whom the state has failed to reveal those killers up to this day.
It is deeply regrettable that the murder of Journalist Moi has come just a few days after President Salva Kiir allegedly said that ‘he would kill journalists’ against his government. These words have been attributed to President Kiir by different sources and to date neither the President nor his press secretary has disputed the allegations. In our view, this was direct incitement to kill journalists indirectly by any person who is willing to implement President’s words.
We call upon President Kiir to always reserve his words on whatever he says especially on issues that are so sensitive to be lamented by his person and such matters including those concerning the lives of individuals or people. As a head of state, his words have very serious consequences which may be negative or positive.
The government should equally explain whether the statements which president Kiir has said could not be imputed on the death of Journalist Moi.
As we mourn journalist Moi, we strongly call upon the government to investigate the death of Journalist Moi and bring perpetrators to justice though several calls have been made to government before and bear no results on similar cases such as the assassination of Isaiah Abraham and disappearance of other persons including engineer John Louis and civil society leaders.
We urge the international community to continue standing with South Sudanese journalist and call upon entire media fraternity to stand together at such trying times. Losing one is a blow to all persons who have humanity at heart and regrettable loss to South Sudan especially such a young man who spoke out for this who could not speak for themselves.
Signed by: