Juba, 7th, September 2023—Association for Media Development In South Sudan (AMDISS) commends members of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly for deleting Articles 54 and 55 of the National Security Service Act, 2014 amended in 2019, which gave security agents excessive authority to arrest suspects with or without an arrest warrant.
As South Sudanese heads towards general elections next year, it is crucial to open up the civic space to encourage the citizens to discuss issues of public concerns freely without fear of reprisal.
AMDISS believes that having good laws that enable the media and citizens to engage the authorities, particularly on issues of public interest can nurture trust-building among the public.
AMDISS calls on the honorable members of parliament representing their respective political parties to continue deliberating and amending the provisions that infringe on the Bill of Rights and press freedom, freedom of speech, and association—that are key for a prosperous and democratic state.
Furthermore, AMDISS applauds the principal signatories of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan for listening to the outcry of the people to amend these particular two Articles 54 and 55 of the National Security Act, 2014 (Amended) 2023 for the benefit of the country and its people.
AMDISS is a member-based media organization in South Sudan formed in 2003 to work towards creating an enabling environment for media freedom through advocacy and dialogue with stakeholders.
For more information on this press release, contact us at [email protected] or call +211922814414
