Nov 2, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —— South Sudan International Advocacy for Human Rights condemns the unwarranted arrest of James Gatdet Dak, the spokesman of SPLM/SPLA-IO Chairman, by the Kenyan government.
Arresting James Gatdet for exercising his freedom of expression does not only belittle Kenyan’s democracy but shows that Kenya is not any different with war-torn South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and Somalia where human rights are being constantly abused.
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This is a big shame for a country that should have served as a role model for the rest of the region.
Mr. Dak was simply reacting to a decision made by the United Nation in New York and has direct impacts on South Sudanese and nothing to do with Kenya and her people.
It is very naive for Kenya to take it upon themselves when their son was being paid by the United Nations to serve under UN mandates and regulations. Lt. Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani could have been killed on the line of duty like the Chinese and Indian peacekeepers without any compensation. It is therefore naive for Kenya to emotional decisions when their son loses his job but keep quiet when their troops are well paid abroad.
By the virtue of this case in point, UN decision has nothing to do with Kenya as a nation, and neither any party to the conflict in South Sudan have influence over the said decision.
As a respectful mediator and a neighbor, Kenya needs to reverse this decision by releasing Mr. Dak immediately as his detention can seriously tainted Kenya’s image among the affected population of South Sudan as well as the entire region.
It is ill-planned precedent with potential hostility as Kenya will be perceived by South Sudanese as no more neutral in their internal affairs.
SSIAHR sees Mr. Dak reaction to UN decision as a freedom of speech and expression which does amount to an offense to the government of Kenya.
That being highlighted, we call upon the IGAD, AU, and the Kenyan Authority for immediate release of Mr. Dak from the detention dated 11/01/2016.
Sincerely.
Signed by:
Peter Gatkuoth Wadar Kuel
Executive Director
Email:Â peterkuel@yahoo.com
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