South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
October 13, 2011 (JUBA) – Members of Parliament (MPs) in South Sudan have expressed concerns over lack of identity cards (IDs), which they said sometimes results in their harassment by the security organs in the country.
The national parliament, based in the current capital, Juba, has a membership of over 350 lawmakers, but their identity cards have not yet been issued to them since the time it first convened in August after South Sudan’s independence in July.
The MPs, who are supposed to be treated as VIPs with immunity, however continue to suffer from harassment like the rest of the ordinary people because they are not identified by the security organs.
On Wednesday, The Citizen newspaper reported on an incident involving an MP at the Juba International Airport where he was forced to leave the VIP premises when he failed to show his ID while trying to receive his colleagues who were arriving at the airport.
A motion was raised in the parliament, chaired by the Deputy Speaker Daniel Awet Akot, during which the members expressed disappointment over the delay to issue them with IDs.
However, the second Deputy Speaker in the parliament, Fatima Nyawang Biliu, explained to the MPs that their IDs were being processed and could be issued soon.
(ST)
Anyangaliec
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
They should be produce for all, but not only for the MPs.
Dut monybor
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
That is very crucial complain for you MPs of south Sudan
and i hope the administration concerned with this issue will response to bring ID for better identification
mafitabu
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
WELL DONE POLICE.
IF OUR MPs ARE WITHOUT IDs, HOW WILL YOU KNOW CRIMINAL?
Let them respect the low as they who creates the low.
Juba is the second city in africa, after south Africa in crime.
Peter Nhiany
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
There is nothing to be blamed on the security organs personel because they are doing their job. If the MPs were to be issued IDs to access important government areas and premises, therefore, the responsibility agent for producing IDs should have done that before or immediately after the swearing in of the MPs. MPs should not feel bitter about the rejection to enter the airport by the security.
santos 1
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
the person who doesn;t want to issue their IDs should always move with them notifying the public that this is VIP,SIMPLY
THANKZ
manyang2
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
Nobody should be harrass for no reasons. All citizens are equal and should be accorded same treatment irrespective of their status. Security agents should be trained to work within the law and not to act with impunity.
Peter Nhiany
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
Mr. Mafitabu, I agree with you on the fact of how will you know the criminal, but I doubted what you said about Juba being #2 after S. Africa in crime. Where did you get the statistics that will back your arguement? I will be more than happy to read more about that. Maybe it could be in the future if rule of law and programs to deter criminals from victimizing are not implemented to reduce crime
Gunkills
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
Congratulation to the security organs. I hope the MP did understand the security’s job because MPs are the one creates the laws and security to implement them.
lokeji
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
It seems everything is not ready in south sudan, the passport is not ready, the ID is not ready, the nationality is not ready even birth certificate is not ready. then what is ready?
omoni JR
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
There is no body who is above the law,so i do not know any bad problem being committed by the safety and security department.
Their work is to maintain law and order and at the airport or any other government premises they have to make sure public life is more safe regardless of their status,either you are MPs or ordinary person,all are equal in justice.
The Mps can not blame the security police.
Garang Deng.
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
Officially I don’t know what is the exact problem with IDs and passport when those two are what make a country to be citizenized. Please we need Southern Sudan to grow and prosper.
Peter Nhiany
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
Mr. Manyang2, I do not disagree with you on treating people with equity. What I do not agree with you on is the fact that you called for the training of the security and to act within the law. I think the security personel worked within the law that is why they did not want to allow anybody to enter airport without proper ID. They were following security protocols.
Albino Akol
South Sudan MPs face harassment as they lack IDs
By Albino Akol. Those so called Mps are public servants and lawmakers therefore they are ineed of protection by security organs whether they have IDS Cards or not.