Simon Deng

Simon Aban Deng is a South Sudanese-American human rights activist living in the United States. A survivor of child slavery, Deng's activism primarily focuses on slavery in Sudan and on South Sudanese self-determination.

Biography Deng was born in a Shilluk village at the age of nine, his village was "raided by Arab troops in the pay of Khartoum". There, he was abducted by a neighbor and brought north alongside three other children. In the north, he was "given to an Arab family as a 'gift'".

In 1972, and was able to successfully apply for political asylum. Through his efforts, he began a partnership with Charles Jacobs to help assist Christian Solidarity International in freeing Sudanese slaves.

In December 2023, Deng led a solidarity walk from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to "illustrate the solidarity of the South Sudanese and many Africans with the Jewish people and the State of Israel". He also referenced Israel's assistance of South Sudanese rebels during the first Sudanese Civil War. While in Israel, he also met with families of the hostages taken on October 7, 2023. Deng expressed concerns about aggressions by jihadists toward Jews and South Sudanese, drawing a parallel between the two.

Sudan Freedom Walk The Sudan Freedom Walk can refer to one of several such events organized by Simon Deng used to raise awareness of human rights issues in Sudan. Sudan Freedom Walk, April 2006, New York City, New York to Washington, D.C., United States of America Second Sudan Freedom Walk, December 2006, Brussels, Belgium to The Hague, Netherlands Sudan Freedom Walk Chicago, May 2007, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America Sudan Freedom Walk, 2010, New York City to Washington, D.C. Focused on raising public support for the 2011 South Sudanese independence referendum

Personal life Deng is a Christian. As of 2012, he was living in New York City. He had become an American citizen by 2006.