S. Sudan National Security ‘using abusive’ tactics to terrorize journalists’ – new report

LONDON – The London-based rights organization, the Amnesty International, has accused South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) of using what the group said is abusive surveillance tactics to terrorize journalists and other dissident groups deemed by the regime in Juba as threats to the state and its institutions.

The report, titled “’These Walls Have Ears’” – The Chilling Effect of Surveillance in South Sudan” also highlighted roles played by telephone operators to help the NSS in caring out the unlawful act of surveillance against the country’s own citizens.

The report said it obtained “documents that show an Israeli company, Verint Systems Ltd., supplied communications interception technology to the South Sudanese government at least between 2015 – 2017, despite the high risk that the equipment could contribute to human rights violations.”

Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa, said the rights body has evidence that the country is working hard to suppress dissent and urged the government in Juba to stop these practices which he said jeopardize the work of civil society organizations and activists.

“Unchecked and unlawful surveillance by the NSS is having a chilling effect on civil society and peaceful activism. The threat of surveillance is a weapon in itself – government critics and human rights activists told us they live in constant fear of being spied on,” he said

“Despite this, many courageous South Sudanese activists continue to stand up for their and others’ rights, braving surveillance, intimidation and harassment. It is time for the South Sudanese authorities to halt the unlawful practices of the NSS and enable people to exercise their freedom of expression without fear of reprisals,” he added.

Infiltration

The rights organization said the NSS “deploys agents throughout South Sudan and neighbouring countries, penetrating all levels of society and daily life. NSS approval is required to hold public events, suffocating genuine dialogue. Credible and consistent accounts from multiple sources demonstrate that intelligence agents have infiltrated NGOs, the media, private sector security companies and hotels. The depth and breadth of the NSS’s spy network creates an environment that infringes on freedom of opinion, expression and privacy.”

Phone tapping

The group also said “Almost all the activists that Amnesty International interviewed are worried about surveillance and avoid talking about sensitive topics over the phone, preferring to talk in person or through encrypted apps.

“Tapped telephone conversations have been presented as evidence in court, and at least one high profile case was thrown out by the judges on grounds that the recordings were illegally obtained and violated the right to privacy.

“NSS agents have also recounted telephone conversations to detainees in interrogations, and recordings appear to have provided leads for arbitrary arrests.”