Human Rights lawyers petition UN seeking release of South Sudanese activist, Peter Biar Ajak

An international human rights lawyer has joined a call to release South Sudanese academic and activist Peter Biar Ajak after six months in detention without charge.

Jared Genser a legal expert based in Washington DC, says Biar’s health is deteriorating as he continues to be held without access to medical care. 
Genser says he is engaging with the UN Special Rapporteur the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Michel Forst and David Kaye, the special rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression.

Genser made a personal call to President Salva Kiir to use his executive power to release Peter Bia Ajak.

Peter Biar Ajak, a Harvard educated South Sudanese academic, was arrested by security agents at Juba International Airport in July last year, as he was preparing to travel to Aweil to attend a youth forum that he had organized.

The South Sudan government is yet to comment on the legal petition.
Jared Genser spoke to George Livio in this interview.