Teen tortured by brothers for refusing forced marriage

RUMBEK – An 18-year-old girl in Rumbek, South Sudan, is recovering in hospital after being severely beaten by her younger brothers for refusing a forced marriage. The girl, identified as Amou Mamer, was admitted to Rumbek State Hospital on Tuesday with serious injuries sustained in the attack in Mayom Payam, Rumbek Center County.

Dr. David, in charge of the surgical ward, said Mamer suffered severe wounds, primarily to her buttocks, and may require skin grafts.

“It’s because she was married and the girl rejected the man and that’s why they have beaten her,” he said. “According to what I have seen as a doctor, this girl might have taken 2-3 months in the hospital.”

He added that the wounds were deep and dark, requiring theatre treatment.

Mamer’s father, Ajoch Lueth, said he was not present during the attack.

“If I was there, such thing would have not happened,” he said. “I would have committed a crime, and that’s why I first brought her to hospital and to the police in order to survive.”

He said he will take the matter to court.

“I am requesting the State hospital administration to write form 8, and sign. Because I would take these children to court to explain why did they harm their sister by beating her badly like this,” Lueth said.

Angelina Adhel Malual, chairperson of the civil society organization network in Lakes State, condemned the violence.

“Such torture of canning your own sister in such a manner doesn’t reflect any good image even if the girl has committed whatever any crime,” she said.

Malual emphasized that forced marriage and such violence are illegal under a 2022 law.

“It is a right of that girl and also it is a right of the family to respect the dignity of the girl,” she said. “Because, we cannot disrespect her regardless of whatever she has committed.”

Malual urged the Lakes State government to enforce the 2022 law and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“She is admitted, and doctors are trying so hard to take her into theatre and as well get some blood to save her life, and it is just because of force marriage and it is because of normal thing that she has rejected somebody this girl doesn’t love,” Malual said.

She expressed dismay that family members were involved in the attack.

“I urge the government of Lakes State to make sure and that I am confident that the government we have in Lakes State that question each individual who act and put the law into his/her own hands,” she said.

“So, I really condemned this in strongest term possible, we don’t like such act to happen in our communities.”