Human Rights Watch has reported the arbitrary detention of 22 political and military figures in South Sudan, urging authorities to comply with human rights standards. The detainees are primarily linked with opposition leaders, including First Vice President Riek Machar. The organization calls for an end to enforced disappearances and emphasizes the need for international intervention to address these violations of due process.
In mid-February, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported the arrest of 22 political and military personnel in South Sudan, which constitutes a breach of human rights obligations. The organization urged South Sudanese authorities to halt arbitrary detentions of opposition leaders, disclose their locations, and adhere to due process standards. The detainees predominantly include individuals linked to the opposition and the First Vice President, Riek Machar, particularly from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO). Significant figures among the arrested are Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, and Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol.
Nyagoah Tut Pur, a researcher at HRW, emphasized that the arrests have amplified instability in South Sudan’s precarious security environment. He asserted the necessity for authorities to clarify the detainees’ statuses and ensure their rights to due process, advocating for their appearance before an impartial court. As of now, the National Security Service (NSS), responsible for the detentions, has not provided any information regarding the missing individuals, raising serious concerns about the misuse of power in the absence of judicial oversight.
Moreover, HRW has appealed for an end to the enforced disappearances of dissenting individuals detained since March 4, 2025. The organization has also called on the international community, including the United Nations, African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), to advocate for the cessation of arbitrary detentions and repression through security institutions.
Article 2 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance defines such acts as the detention of individuals by state agents, coupled with a refusal to acknowledge that detention. Although South Sudan is not a signatory to this convention, the principle against enforced disappearance is a recognized international norm, deemed binding upon all states by the UN Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
Recent arrests have taken place amidst violent clashes between government forces and armed groups in the Upper Nile region, affecting civilian populations. The situation escalated on March 7, when armed assailants assaulted a UN helicopter engaged in a rescue operation, resulting in casualties.
In summary, the ongoing arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances in South Sudan highlight significant human rights violations. Human Rights Watch has called for transparency and due process for the detained opposition leaders, while urging international organizations to advocate for these rights. The dire security situation in the region exacerbates these issues, necessitating immediate action to protect human rights and uphold the rule of law.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
