A human rights activist on Sunday “strongly” condemned the domestic violence act in which a policeman gouged the eyes of his 18-year-old daughter in Warrap State.
Angelo Agany was arrested by Tonj East County authorities last week for allegedly torturing her daughter by pricking her eyes over refusal of an arranged marriage.
According to Tonj East Commissioner Machauei Bith, the suspect decided to take his daughter to a village after she reportedly eloped to Tonj town with a boyfriend.
While on their way, officer Bith allegedly gouged both of his daughter’s eyes rendering her blind.
The Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization calls for accountability for the “act of human rights abuse.”
Edmund Yakani said the perpetrator has inflicted a permanent disability on the teenager and violated the country’s strategy for the prevention of child and forced marriage.
“I take this opportunity to strongly condemn the act of human right abuse by a police officer who is the father of 18-year-old girl (the survivor) at Abug Anyieth payam in Tonj East County,” he said.
“The father of (of the survivor) who is a police officer should be held accountable for violating her right to consent for marriage. The father also has violated the South Sudan strategy for prevention of child and forced marriage.”
The activist said it is disgraceful that the perpetrator is a policeman mandated to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights.
Speaking to Eye Radio on Sunday, he called on the president and all well-wishers to ensure that the survivor is given proper medical care.
“I would like to appeal to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene, and in particular, I would like to call on the president to help Akot medical attention because her mother and the family may not have the capacity.”
The survivor is currently admitted to Wau Teaching Hospital, where she has been transferred from a health facility in Tonj East County.
According to reports, women and girls in South Sudan have severely limited rights when entering into or attempting to dissolve a marriage.
Currently, there is no one specific constitutional law governing marriage and divorce in South Sudan.
The Constitution recognizes the customary laws and traditions of over 60 different ethnic groups as governing personal matters, including marriage and divorce, for their members.
