Michael Christopher is a jailed South Sudanese journalist whose life is in danger as he's at risk of torture.

Until his unlawful arrest by South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) on July 17, 2019, Michael was editor-in-chief of the Arabic language newspaper Al Watan. He wrote an opinion piece that supports the civilian led protests in Sudan in January. Michael received death threats after the piece was published. Furthermore, the NSS and South Sudan's Media Authority issued warnings to him about this opinion, in clear violation of his rights as a journalist.

In fear for his life following the threats, Michael tried to leave the country on July 15 but the NSS boarded the plane at Juba International Airport, confiscated his passport, and barred him from travel. Furthermore, the authorities ordered him to present himself to the NSS headquarters without charge. Michael arrived at the police station on July 17 where he was detained without a lawful order or charge, and it is reported that he has been tortured and in a coma.

We demand the immediate release of Michael. Michael has committed no crimes and his opinion piece is an expressly protected right to freedom of thought. The authorities have violated Michael's fundamental human rights as guaranteed by United Nations treaties. Specifically, and as noted on the United Nations websites: �In June 2019, 165 members of the South Sudan Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) voted unanimously to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and their respective First Optional Protocols without reservations.

The ICCPR and ICESCR are among nine core United Nations human rights treaties and give legal force to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. �As such, the ICCPR requires states to protect and respect their citizens’ civil and political rights, such as the right to political participation, equality, freedom of thought, religion and expression and freedom from torture and other inhuman treatment.

This petition requests your support in pushing for the release of Michael Christopher. We will not forget about him. We ask all who reject the flagrant and inhuman treatment of journalists such as Michael the world over to support his immediate release.