Govt accused of restricting activities of southern NGOs

Oct 13, 2005 (NAIROBI) — A consortium of 66 civil society organizations in southern Sudan are criticizing the laws decreed by President Omar al-Beshir to regulate voluntary humanitarian work in Sudan.

A statement issued by the civil society organizations under the umbrella of the Sudanese indigenous NGOs network, Nesi, say the laws are repressive, because they impede the efforts of civil society organizations that are supposed to compliment government role in sustaining peace and development.

Civil society organizations are asking the government to revoke the laws in the interest of the people of Sudan who have suffered years of war.

The statements add that the NGO laws should be revised with a human face that subscribe to human rights, democracy and freedom.

Nesi says one of the laws prevents charity organizations from getting donations locally or internationally.

(Sudan Radio Service)