An Amnesty official has spoken out against what she said were rights abuses in South Sudan, charging that the National Security Service (NSS) repeatedly engages in arbitrary arrests and detention.

“They have held people arbitrarily, sometimes for up to two years,” Elizabeth Deng, an Amnesty International researcher on South Sudan, affirmed in an interview with Radio Miraya. She said detainees were often not charged or arraigned in court, and that most do not have access to a lawyer.

“In addition, the conditions of detention are generally poor,” she maintained, adding that detainees often do not have regular access to family members, and that access to medical care is inadequate.

“They also have a diet in which they only eat once a day, and they’re often subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment,” Elizabeth Deng stated.

Among the most recent cases of abuse, she cited Juba Monitor editor Alfred Taban, who was picked up last 15 July.

“He has been charged with an offence under the Penal Code, but we’re calling for his immediate release because we believe that his detention and the charges brought against him are solely based on the right to freedom of expression,” she said, recalling that Taban was arrested following the publication of an opinion piece.

Elizabeth also expressed concern about another journalist, Michael Christopher of the Al Watan newspaper, currently held by the NSS. She further mentioned Joseph, who reportedly died in NSS custody. Before his untimely demise last 17 July, Joseph had languished in jail for close to two years.

“We cannot confirm the precise cause of death, but we have been informed that prior to his death he was suffering from a tapeworm infection that did not receive adequate attention and therefore resulted in liver damage,” the rights advocate said.

Elizabeth challenged the NSS to charge its detainees and bring them to a court of law or, in the absence of any evidence, release them immediately.

“Under international humanitarian law people arrested should be promptly charged and promptly brought before a court of law,” she pointed out, adding that Amnesty has repeatedly raised the issue with the South Sudan authorities, including the minister of National Security and the office of the President.

“Unfortunately I can’t explain why the government continues to detain these people in violation of their human rights,” she bemoaned.

Elizabeth expressed the hope that all South Sudanese would join Amnesty in requesting that their government “treat people with respect for their rights.”