This town will be too small for you

The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN) has released a powerful civic space monitoring report documenting the escalating repression of human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society organizations between July 2022 and July 2025.

The report reveals a systematic pattern of harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and censorship. Journalists and HRDs have faced threats, detention without due process, confiscation of equipment, and even enforced disappearances. Media outlets have been shut down, civic events disrupted, and organizations deregistered under the pretext of national security.

Despite South Sudan’s constitutional and international commitments to protect freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, the civic environment has become increasingly hostile. The report underscores that safeguarding civic space is not only a human rights obligation but also essential for peace, democratic governance, and sustainable development.

SSHRDN calls on:

• The Government of South Sudan to uphold constitutional protections and restrain the National Security Service from persecuting civic actors.
• Regional bodies such as the African Union and IGAD to take concrete steps against civic space violations.
• International partners to strengthen protection and support for HRDs, media, and civil society.