Rumbek, 22 June, 2021 / 2:18 pm (ACI Africa).
A civil society organization in South Sudan’s Lakes State has condemned the torture of three Catholic journalists linked to an artist who is involved in activism in the East-Central Africa country.
The journalists include the Director for Good News Radio of South Sudan’s Rumbek Catholic Diocese where the artist was allegedly set to record a song that condemns police brutality in the country.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, June 20, Community Empowerment organization (CEPO) condemned the arrest and torture of the journalists saying the act by the state police amounts to infringement on the freedom of expression.
“CEPO has learned that three Radio Good News staff including Station Director Marial Deng and an artist have become victims of police brutality in Lakes State. The police Operation accused Radio Good News music production studio to have allowed an artist to compose a song that condemns police brutality on civilians,” CEPO leadership said in a statement that was signed by the organization’s Lakes State Coordinator, Daniel Lat Kon.
They added, “CEPO Condemns continuous police brutality on civilians in Lakes State. This is a violation of constitutional rights and the right to freedom of expression.”