US State Department report documents attacks on religious freedoms in South Sudan

The U.S. Department of State last week released its annual report on International Religious Freedom which faulted South Sudan for arresting worshippers and attacks on clerics.

This report, also known as the International Religious Freedom Report, describes the status of religious freedom, government policies violating religious beliefs and practices of groups, religious denominations, and individuals, and U.S. policies promoting religious freedom in nearly every country and territory throughout the world.

The 2021 report was released on June 2, 2022.

The transitional constitution of South Sudan provides for separation of religion and state, prohibits religious discrimination, and provides religious groups freedom to worship and assemble, organize themselves, teach, own property, receive financial contributions, communicate and issue publications on religious matters, and establish charitable institutions.

However, according to the report, In June 2021, the Episcopal Church in Central Equatoria State stated publicly that the South Sudanese People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) detained five persons during a church service in Loka, Central Equatoria State, and later killed them while in custody.

“In a separate incident in June, the government ordered an investigation into claims the SSPDF killed four worshippers during a church service in Lainya, Central Equatoria State,” the report read. “In January, government officials detained two Episcopal bishops at Bor airport in Jonglei State who were reportedly linked to a continuing dispute within the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS).”

The report says that government officials stated they detained the visiting bishops, as they believed their presence would aggravate tensions. Officials later returned the bishops to Juba and released them.

“Catholic bishops released a 15 September 2021 public statement criticizing the government for its inability to guarantee law and order, and for failing to implement fully the 2018 peace agreement,” it read. “Media reported a number of attacks on clerics, including the killing in August of three persons, including two nuns, in an ambush on the Juba-Nimule road.”

The report also mentions the shooting in April 2021 of the Roman Catholic Bishop-designate of Rumbek, who survived the attack.

The country’s religious institutions remained a crucial source of stability in an otherwise unstable country, according to researchers and international NGOs, the report said.

“Religious leaders stated that a diverse network of Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim domestic and international organizations frequently provided noncombatants shelter from subnational conflicts throughout the country,” it read.

According to the report, U.S. embassy officials raised concerns with government representatives regarding a lack of rule of law, increasing subnational conflict, impunity for violent crimes, and reports of human rights abuses and their impact on religious workers.

“The U.S. Charge d’Affaires and other embassy representatives promoted religious freedom through discussions and outreach with religious leaders and civil society organizations, including an interfaith event for religious leaders in September 2021,” it read.