Two top diplomats have called for the release of Juba Monitor Editor Alfred Taban after he was arrested by security forces last week.
Taban was arrested following an article he published that called for the resignation of President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
Samantha Power, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations said that Taban was “unjustly detained in Juba for critical reporting” on Twitter. “Urge #SouthSudan to #FreeAlfredTaban” she added.
In a separate incident, a United Nations human rights expert also urged the Government of South Sudan to immediately release Taban.
“The arrest and detention of Mr. Taban are unlawful as they are directly linked to the legitimate exercise of his right to freedom of expression,” said David Kaye, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression.
“It is crucial for a country seeking to establish peace and stability that it takes active steps to encourage freedom of expression for everyone,” Kaye said “Any pressure against journalists based on the content of their reporting represents regressive steps that South Sudan cannot afford to take.”