Youth Activists Released after 22 Days in illegal Custody
By Majur Chol Khor
Two out of the three detained youth activists were released on Friday, following the application made by their lawyer to the Public Prosecutor Attorney.
Delighty Keji, Bafora Santelo, and Sonia Akon Gak were released yesterday after their lawyer’s plea for their discharge. While they were unjustly held in illegal detention for 22 days.
Bol Deng Bol, Executive Director for INTREPID South Sudan (ISS), expressed his appreciation to the Public Prosecutor Attorney for granting activists release on bail.
However, the concern remains for their colleague, Bil Kur Nyiel, who is still being held in the police cell.
Bol appeals to the Public Attorney to grant Bil Kur his freedom without any further delay. He emphasizes that security authorities should stop undermining human rights.
According to the statement provided, the three youth activists were detained on Thursday, January 4th, 2024. They were identified as Mr. Bill Kur Nyiel, Mr. Bafora Santelo, and Ms. Delighty Keji, all of whom work for Junubin Chronicles, a Youth Empowerment Non-Governmental Organization in Juba.
The situation took a turn for the worse when their colleague, Biar Ajak Marol, went missing on October 4th, 2023, and has yet to be found. The colleagues immediately reported his disappearance to the police, and while they have now been released, one activist remains in detention.
Bil Kur and Bafora had been tirelessly searching for their missing colleague, Biar, going from place to place and even attempting to hold a press conference, which was denied by the National Security Service (NSS). The circumstances surrounding the activists’ detention and the lack of progress in finding Biar Ajak Marol have sparked outrage and calls for intervention.
The families and supporters of the activists have been anxiously awaiting their release and the resolution of Biar Ajak Marol’s disappearance.
The international community is closely monitoring the developments and urging the South Sudanese authorities to uphold the principles of justice and human rights.
