Lakes State human rights commissioner resigns citing extrajudicial killings

An SPLM party-nominated member of the human rights commission in Lakes State has resigned after accusing Governor Rin Tueny Mabor of violating fundamental rights.

An SPLM party-nominated member of the human rights commission in Lakes State has resigned after accusing Governor Rin Tueny Mabor of violating fundamental rights.

Barnaba Magok Mabor who had earlier been suspended by the governor and later quit on 17 April told Radio Tamazuj Thursday that he resigned due to the lack of democratic space, the governor’s proclivity to running illegal detention centers, extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrests and being undemocratic.

“I resigned because there is no democratic administration in the state leadership. Secondly, there are no legal procedures in the government. Governor Rin Tueny is the law himself in Lakes State because people are detained according to him and people are being released according to him but not according to the law,” he said.  “We are working based on our mandate stipulated in the constitution and we did not manage anything because he (Tueny) is a bummer here. We have evidence like detaining teachers unlawfully which is a clear violation. We also have a member of the human rights commission called Mathiang Deng and a teacher called Makuer Dhuol who are detained in Cueibet County since last October.”

According to Magok, Governor Tueny operates ultra vires as an arresting officer, prosecutor, and judge.

“Our constitution says no one shall be tortured or denigrated and that the law prevails but now the governor has established five detention centers for torturing and arbitrary arrests of local citizens opposed to his coercive one-man rule in Lakes State”, he said. “I will not work with the governor even if he lifts my suspension.”

When contacted, Acting Information Minister William Koji Kirjok confirmed Magok’s resignation after being suspended.

“I think he (Magok) was not happy with his suspension. I cannot explain because it was the decision of the governor who observes those constitutional post-holders in the government,” he said. “There are two types of politicians, those who appreciate the leadership and continue to work normally and those who when they are relieved or suspended, create issues, and among them is Magok who resigned from his position.”

Koji said there is democracy and a rule of law in Lakes State and that is why the state is peaceful.

“I do not know which lack of rule of law he (Magok) is talking about and yet there are special courts established in eight counties to settle cases of rape, murder, revenge killing, and cattle theft and we are working as a government,” he said. “Just yesterday the government, UNMISS, and members of Lakes State legislative assembly launched customary and public order laws.”