By Bida Elly David
South Sudan Council of Ministers has refused to yield in to calls by the international human rights body on the abolition of the death sentence laws against citizens with secondary crimes.
This development came following presentation made by the Ministry of Justice on the second cycle on periodic review of affairs in South Sudan with focus to human rights.
Speaking to the media after the Council of Ministers’ meeting yesterday, Michael Makuei Lueth, the government’s spokesperson said the global resolutions regarding the abolishment of death sentence was not in compliance with South Sudan’s laws.
He pointed out that there is no way the Country would pardon a person who commits secondary crime of murder – stating that it would increase crimes and the level of insecurity.
“Hanging is a deterrent action and we cannot at this time change it until we reach a certain stage. After reaching that stage where people can understand what it is, then this is the time we will put it aside. But as of now, this is the only penalty which will make people not to commit offenses,” he said.
Makuei stated that South Sudan would not be safe if government responds to the call of the global human rights body concerning lifting off the death sentence by hanging.
He added that some people would resort to intentional murder and opt for blood compensation as a way to be freed from the crimes.
“In South Sudan now, even though people know that there is death sentence being pardoned, somebody will kill now and pay blood money. So, if we abolish the death sentence, it would be worse than that. If it is the question of going to the prison, the maximum year in South Sudan prison is 9 months and with this, people will kill the way they want,” said Makuei
“Criminals will rejoice imprisonment since they will kill and be kept in prison and later freed. This is why we are against the lifting of the death sentence at the present moment,” said Michael.
Moreover, Makuei jagged out that the resolutions on lifting the death sentence was not in compliance with the laws of South Sudan, thus it could not be effective.
He added that even the United States of America that was against death by hanging is currently exercising the same initiative.
“Even America which abandoned hanging is now backing up the activity. We should not be directed to abolish our laws. This is unbecoming,” Michael said.