EU calls on South Sudan government to review NGOs bill
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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.
JPEG - 19.6 kb
European flags are seen outside the European Commission headquarters
in Brussels (Reuters Photo)
The NGOs bill passed by the National Legislative Assembly this week
put forth conditions for the operations of the humanitarian workers in
the country, including the need to employ nationals in certain higher
managerial positions.
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)
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