EU calls on South Sudan government to review NGOs bill
February 6, 2016 (JUBA) – Member countries of the European Union (EU) have expressed deep concern about the negative impact of the bill on Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) passed this week by the South Sudanese national parliament, calling on the would be transitional government to review it in favour of easy humanitarian access to the suffering populations in the country.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the EU delegation, the heads of mission of Denmark, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, The United Kingdom and the heads of mission of Canada, Japan, Norway and Switzerland criticized the new law which is supposed to regulate the operations of the NGOs in the war-ravaged country.
“The Heads of Mission express their grave concern at the potential consequences of the passing of the non-governmental organisations bill, and the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission bill in Parliament on 2 February,” partly reads the statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Friday.
“The Heads of Mission accept that regulation of the non-governmental sector can be a positive development in any country. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should be transparent and accountable. The Heads of Mission however have significant concerns that in their current form these bills could restrict the operation of NGOs who are providing life-saving services to the people of South Sudan. Restricting the work of NGOs could have a significant negative impact on the people of South Sudan,” it further reads.
The statement stressed that humanitarian assistance must be delivered in full to those in need without legal hindrances.
EU also commended the recent issued Communique from the 55th IGAD Council of Ministers meeting on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa which demanded immediate action by the parties to the August 2015 peace deal to ensure unconditional humanitarian access across the country to avert further crisis and tragedy.
The EU statement further stressed the need to review the NGO bill by a new unity government when it is in place any time soon.
“The Heads of Mission note that the NGO bill is due to be reviewed by the Transitional Government of National Unity, involving a process of public consultation ensuring that such legislation complies with international best practice in regulating the activities of NGOs in South Sudan.”
It said the transitional government of national unity is also tasked with supervising the reforms and reconstitution of existing commissions and committees including the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission.
“The Heads of Mission will continue to follow these issues closely,” it said.
The statement further emphasized that the member states of the EU looked forward to the prompt establishment of the transitional unity government and working closely with it to implement all aspects of the peace agreement which ends 21 months of civil war in South Sudan.
(ST)