By Deng Ghai Deng
Athieng J. Aleu, the wife of a detained photojournalist has expressed her sadness and concern over the prolonged arbitrary detention of her husband by security operatives, alleging severe mistreatment and denial of basic rights.
In an emotional plea, Athieng stated that her husband was forcibly taken into custody nearly a month ago by members of the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in collaboration with National Security Service (NSS) personnel, without any legal warrant in Bor.
Since his arrest on June 29th, she claims he has been subjected to torture and deprived of essential healthcare and basic services.
“This treatment is inhuman. He doesn’t deserve such horrific treatment,” Athieng lamented. “The father of my children has not committed any crime. If there are allegations against him, why has he not been presented before a court of law?”
Photojournalist identified as Aleu, reportedly played a role in recent civil unrest in Bor, where public sector employees staged protests over delayed salaries and worsening economic conditions, according to local authorities.
Athieng’s distress extends beyond her husband’s plight to the economic hardships faced by their family in his absence, compounded by the nation’s growing inflation crisis.
“My children are suffering. Nobody is helping me provide for them,” she said. “Why is the government subjecting us to more suffering by detaining my husband without justification? I am upset and deeply disappointed.”
The arrest has drawn sharp criticism from local human rights watchdogs, UN agencies, and the South Sudan Civil Society Forum, who condemn it as a stark violation of civic and political freedoms.
They have called on authorities to uphold democratic principles, ensure transparency, and protect the rights of all citizens.
Responding to mounting criticism, Amnesty International has urged President Kiir to reject a recently enacted security bill, asserting that it grants unchecked powers to the National Security Service, which could lead to abuse against civilians.
The International Human Rights Organization insists that any security legislation must align with the Constitution and international human rights standards, restricting the NSS to intelligence gathering, analysis, and advisory roles only.