South Sudan advocate beaten for defending teenager against forced marriage

RUMBEK – An advocate in South Sudan’s Lakes State was assaulted by a group of men after successfully defending a teenage girl in court.

Advocate James Mourwel, who represented the 14-year-old in an early and forced marriage case, was allegedly attacked near his office following the ruling.

The case, initiated after the International Rescue Committee’s family protection unit and the human rights division of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan contacted Mourwel, involved a 14-year-old girl being forced into marriage with a bank manager from a commercial bank in Wau.

Speaking to Sudans Post yesterday, Mourwel said the teenager’s uncles arranged the marriage against the wishes of other family members, including the girl’s mother and brother, who opposed the forced union.

“It is a case of a 14-year-old girl who was forced into marriage by some family members. The man, a bank manager, reached an agreement with the uncles to marry her, making it a forced marriage,” Mourwel explained.

He elaborated on the family dynamics, saying, “Two uncles handed the girl over, while other relatives, including her mother and brother, were not in favor of such a marriage.”

The court granted the girl her rights on November 1, ruling in favor of her separation from the marriage and ordering other remedies.

“On Friday, we attended court proceedings as usual, and the court granted the young girl her rights and provided necessary legal protection for her and her family,” Mourwel said.

The attack occurred as Mourwel was leaving his office later that day. “A group of young men surrounded me, accusing me of what I had done in court. Five of them moved in on me, and before I knew it, I was being beaten,” he said.

Mourwel reported sustaining multiple injuries, with swelling in his throat and pain throughout his body.

“I am in severe pain, especially in my back, chest, and throat. The pain is indescribable, and I’m still suffering,” he said.

According to Mourwel, the main suspect has been apprehended, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.