by Joseph Edward
JUBA - South Sudan must do more to clamp down on rape, according to protesters from civil society organisations.
Representatives from civil society organisations handed a petition in to the South Sudanese government on Tuesday, May 23, demanding an official clampdown on rape and more victim support.
The petition urged the United Nations and embassies to sanction the government of South Sudan for the continued violation of human rights in the country.
Bena Mark, project manager at the organisation Voice for Change, called for suspects to be tried without delay: “The government should ensure speedy hearing of rape cases based on evidence,” Bena said.
Protesters were angered by the government’s apparent inactivity after a girl, Sanya Ide Lino, was raped and murdered in the Muniki area of Juba earlier in May.
“We strongly condemn the rape and murder of innocent girls and women in South Sudan. We will not relent, sit down and watch, While we are crying after the death of this young girl, we need ensure that she did not die in vain,” the petition said.
In their document, handed in on May 23, the women called for a clear legal distinction between rape and child defilement.
They also argued that the government should strengthen ‘gender desks’ in the police units and South Sudan’s National Assembly should monitor the implementation of the National gender policy. “The government must work closely with other relevant stakeholders to ensure […] support for survivors of sexual and gender based violence,” the petition said, adding that victims should be given psychological support.
The women quoted the laws which stand in place to protect women from rape. However, they argued, that many rapists were not punished for their crimes.
According to the law, “whoever has sexual intercourse or carnal intercourse with another person against his or her will or without this or her consent commits the offence of rape and upon conviction shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years and may also be liable to a fine.”
Rape can trigger long periods of trauma for survivors, the women’s groups argued, describing an ominous outlook for women in South Sudan’s capital. “We would like to note with sadness the rising insecurity in Juba,” they said, noting “extreme disappointment” with the country’s record at dealing with criminals.
Central Equatoria Minister of Gender and Social Development Mary Apai told protesters that officials were trying to investigate the case. Officials are in close contact with the family of the deceased to ensure that justice prevailed, she said.
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