PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Rights body hails President Kiir for pardoning two death row inmates
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Amnesty International on Friday hailed South Sudan President, Salva Kiir, for granting a presidential pardon to former South Sudanese opposition spokesman, James Gatdet Dak and South African national William Endley. who were death row inmates.
“The pardon comes as a relief to all who cherish human rights and abhor the death penalty, but more needs to be done," said Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes, Joan Nyanyuki.
The human rights organization said the South Sudanese authorities must commute all death sentences and get on the right side of history by abolishing the ultimate cruel form of punishment.
“It, however, remains extremely disturbing that Gatdet, a duly-registered refugee, was irregularly repatriated to South Sudan by Kenyan authorities, putting his life at grave risk. This repatriation must be fully and independently investigated, and action taken against those responsible,” she added.
Dak was the spokesman for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army – In Opposition (SPLA-IO) led by former Vice-President Riek Machar, when he was taken from his Nairobi home and deported to South Sudan in November 2016.
“The Kenyan authorities have a duty to ensure the safety of all those in its territory, including refugees. It must always uphold their rights under international law,” said Joan Nyanyuki.
Both Dak and Endley were pardoned by President Salva Kiir on 31 October, 2018, as the country held celebrations to mark the latest agreement to end almost five years of armed conflict in the country.
Endley will be deported to his native South Africa, immediately upon being released.
-0- PANA DJ/VAO 2Nov2018
“The pardon comes as a relief to all who cherish human rights and abhor the death penalty, but more needs to be done," said Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes, Joan Nyanyuki.
The human rights organization said the South Sudanese authorities must commute all death sentences and get on the right side of history by abolishing the ultimate cruel form of punishment.
“It, however, remains extremely disturbing that Gatdet, a duly-registered refugee, was irregularly repatriated to South Sudan by Kenyan authorities, putting his life at grave risk. This repatriation must be fully and independently investigated, and action taken against those responsible,” she added.
Dak was the spokesman for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army – In Opposition (SPLA-IO) led by former Vice-President Riek Machar, when he was taken from his Nairobi home and deported to South Sudan in November 2016.
“The Kenyan authorities have a duty to ensure the safety of all those in its territory, including refugees. It must always uphold their rights under international law,” said Joan Nyanyuki.
Both Dak and Endley were pardoned by President Salva Kiir on 31 October, 2018, as the country held celebrations to mark the latest agreement to end almost five years of armed conflict in the country.
Endley will be deported to his native South Africa, immediately upon being released.
-0- PANA DJ/VAO 2Nov2018
