A police officer in Australia is undergoing investigation for a racist comment against Nyadol Nyuon Bany, a South Sudanese-Australian lawyer. The officer is placed on leave and being investigated for asking Nyadol to return to her “shithole” country
Eye radio has reported.
Nyadol Nyuon is a lawyer and human rights advocate in Australia. She is the daughter of the founding SPLA Chief of Staff, the late William Nyuon Bany.
Nyadol was recently involved in a television talk-show on racism and institutional injustices particularly in Australia and around the world. During the TV show, Nyadol said she firmly supports the protests because the message the marches sent was more important.
“Because what they were saying is something that black children — Indigenous children — need to hear. And unfortunately, I don’t think Indigenous children and black children have heard that enough from our leaders,” Nyadol said.
Nyadol reportedly condemned the ongoing acts of racism in America. She said receiving such messages have become normal to her.
According to the ABC, the South Australian Police spokesperson apologized for the comments and said the officer who sent the messages was no longer performing operational duties.
“The comments and views on this personal Facebook account are abhorrent and in no way representative of the values of South Australia Police,” the spokesperson said.
“A full and expedient internal investigation will be undertaken,” he added.
The police officer had apologized for the comment.
Following the death of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis in USA, protests against racism spurred across America and some parts of Europe. The mainly peaceful demonstrations are being organized by ” Black Lives Matter” movement.
George died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. In a video that went viral on social media, George is heard saying “I can’t breathe” as he was pinned to a wall. He was pronounced dead later.
The officer involved in his killing was fired from his job and charged with second degree murder.
In 2018, South Sudanese living in Melbourne took the streets to protest what they described as unfair treatment and racism in Australia.