On June 12, 2024, South Sudan National Police Service raided an all-female hostel at Juba University, and arrested 23 student residents for protesting an increase in hostel fees. Around 16 students were injured during the raid.

Two weeks prior to the raid, the Dean of Students Affairs increased the hostel fees from 20,000 to 50,000 SSP (approximately increasing from $150 to $380 USD).

The university requested police support to remove the students after they refused to pay the higher fees, citing unclean conditions and a lack of water and electricity in the hostel. Students reported that the police stormed the rooms and violently assaulted the students, leaving several with broken teeth, legs and minor injuries.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the forcible arrest of students for nonviolently exercising their right to free expression. State authorities must refrain from actions intended to punish, restrict, or deter the exercise of these rights and from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians. In addition to the harm to the immediate victims, the use of force to restrict or deter nonviolent student expression undermines academic freedom and democratic society more generally.

Sources:
https://www.sudanspost.com/chaos-at-juba-university-hostel-as-police-wound-16-detain-23-female-students/
https://www.eyeradio.org/24-female-students-from-uoj-reportedly-nursing-wounds-from-police-beating/
https://onecitizendaily.com/index.php/2024/06/14/police-manhandle-uoj-female-students/
https://www.radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/police-clash-with-varsity-female-students-over-hostel-fees