BOR – Civil society group Intrepid South Sudan has condemned the suspension of 24 head teachers from primary and secondary schools at Bentiu IDPs camp in Unity State, following a peaceful demonstration on Thursday, September 25.
The suspension order issued by the Director General of Unity State Ministry of Education, Mayiel Gatkoi Chuol, punished the teachers from various primary and secondary schools in the camp currently hosting nearly 200,000 people.
No reason was provided on what law the teachers violated to warrant the suspension.
But it came after teachers and students allegedly took part in the demonstrations calling for the release of SPLM-IO officials, including suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
The protestors holding placards marched to a UNMISS base arguing the trial should cease, unless it is adjudicated by the pending Hybrid Court for South Sudan, which was stipulated in the 2018 peace deal to address the legacy of civil war that erupted in December 2013.
“We have noted with concerns, the suspension of 24 Head Teachers from both primary and secondary schools at Bentiu Internally Displaced People’s Camp (IDP)… for allegedly involving in the peaceful protest,” ISS stated.
The watchdog said the decision is in violation of the teachers’ rights and freedom of expression, assembly and association as articulated in article 24 and 25 of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, and articles 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, among other regional and International legal instruments.
“Peaceful protest is not a crime whatsoever and, therefore, should not be penalised or discriminated upon under any circumstances.”
“It is on this basis that we are calling on the State Ministry of General Education and the Government of Unity State to lift the suspension of the Head Teachers in question. This way, the Government would have fulfilled their constitutional obligations of promoting and upholding the Teachers rights and freedoms.”
