The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) is saddened by the unfolding human rights situation in Rumbek Town, Lakes State. We have witness the sporadic shooting on Tuesday morning between the joint security forces and civilians over extended demolition exercise of houses surveyed to be part of Rumbek Senior Secondary School and Rumbek Girls Primary school respectively.
CEPO has so far witnessed two civilians that were injured during the gunfire and are currently undergoing treatment in Rumbek state hospital. The incident has left children and women collapsed due to heavy gunfire heard within Rumbek town. CEPO calls on the State Government to exercise maximum control in the ongoing demolition exercise by using non-violent approach toward the effected people.
We condemn this sporadic shooting in town that has caused chaos which left many citizen panicking for their dear life; we encourages the National Government intervene in order to conduct thorough investigations into the matter with urgent helpful decisions. We urges the deployed security forces to refrain from use of force and respect rights of unarmed citizens.
The Transitional Constitution under article 32 (2) coupled with the Land Act 2009 under section 8 grantees protection of Land rights and to the effect that no right in land shall be expropriated or confiscated save by law in the public interest and in consideration for a prompt and fair compensation.
We are urging the state government to also release number of civilians that were detained alongside Chairperson of Civil Society Organization during the demolition exercise in Akuac residential area on Tuesday. Daniel Laat Kon CEPO state coordinator extended the statement to Thejubamirror news Desk.
