South Sudan: Harassment and detention of journalists

The organizations are calling for an end to the harassment and have documented multiple cases, many at the hands of South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS), a security organ whose mandate and functions have never been established by law and who do not have any authority to arrest and detain people. [...] South Sudan dropped 12 places in the Reporters Without Borders 2013 World Press Freedom Index – to 124th out of 180 countries ranked – due to the heavy handiness by the security forces in dealing with journalists, and after the murder of Abraham. [...] Editors and journalists say they are especially vulnerable to harassment, arbitrary arrest and censorship in the absence of laws establishing a legal mechanism to protect media freedom and safeguard the media in carrying out their reporting. [...] The organizations call on South Sudan’s parliament to pass the media laws in a timely manner, in line with international standards to enhance protection of free speech, the media and access to information. [...] The organizations further call on the Government of South Sudan to carry out prompt, effective and impartial investigations into all allegations of threats and attacks against journalists and media workers, and hold those responsible to account in accordance with international standards.