Oil production in South Sudan: A lifeline for the economy or an infringement on children’s right to a safe, clean and healthy environment?
Posted: 22 November, 2024 Filed under: Akot Makur Chuot, Yeabsira Teferi | Tags: accountability, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, business enterprises, children’s rights, Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan of 2011, deaths of children, economic interference, effective remedies, environment, environmental assessments, environmental pollution, fairness, human rights, international human rights law, legislation, Ogoni people, Oil production, oil sector, oil-fields, South Sudan, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, violations of children’s rights Leave a comment
Author: Akot Makur Chuot
LLM Candidate, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Introduction
Oil-operating companies have been acting carte blanche with absolute impunity in South Sudan without complying with international practices premised on human rights considerations. The human rights violations in Unity and Upper Nile States are a testimony that private businesses in the oil and gas industry are unfettered in South Sudan. As a result, the actions and omissions of oil-operating companies in South Sudan have resulted in violations of children’s rights as will be explored in section 4 of the article. This is attested by the birth of children with deformities, stillbirth and several health concerns. It can be argued that the failure of South Sudan to regulate the business enterprises in the oil sector is a breach of its obligations under international human rights law.
Right to education: A conundrum for children with disabilities in South Sudan
Posted: 8 August, 2024 Filed under: Akot Makur Chuot, Yeabsira Teferi | Tags: African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Children with disabilities, contribution to the nation, delay of results, excessive heatwaves, fundamental human right, inaccessibility of classrooms, inclusive education, inexperienced teachers, limited education materials, long distances to and from schools, personal development, poor infrastructure, right to education, South Sudan, Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan of 2011, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030 1 CommentAuthor: Akot Makur Chuot
LLM Candidate, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Introduction
As the world steers to inclusive education in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030, particularly goal 4, which reiterates the right to education for everyone, including children with disabilities, South Sudan lags in meeting this goal. The right to education is a fundamental human right upon which other rights can be achieved. Quality education equips children with the tools, talents, and skills to cope with the challenges they face in life and be responsible global citizens. Although South Sudan is a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and have enacted legislations that prohibit discrimination and guarantee all children’s right to education, children with disabilities face significant challenges in achieving the right to education.
The National Security Bill of 2024: A threat to freedom of expression in South Sudan
Posted: 22 July, 2024 Filed under: Akot Makur Chuot, Yeabsira Teferi | Tags: African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, arbitrary arrest, basic human right, Code of Criminal Procedure, democratic transition, fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom to express views freely, international human rights instrument, National Elections Commission, national security, National Security Bill, National Security Services, political consciousness, Public Prosecution Attorney, South Sudan, South Sudan military, warrant of arrest Leave a commentAuthor: Akot Makur Chuot
LLM Candidate, Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa, University of Pretoria
Introduction
On 3 July 2024, the Revitalised National Transitional Legislative Assembly of South Sudan passed the controversial National Security Bill, which among others empowers (sections 54 & 55) the National Security Services to make arrests and detain anyone suspected of having committed an offence against the state without a warrant of arrest. The Bill was controversially passed by a vote of 274 in favour and 114 against, with 3 abstentions. This is in the face of a democratic transition as South Sudan heads to poll on 22 in December 2024 as per the announcement of the National Elections Commission. If the President does not sign the Bill within 30 days from the day it was passed, it will automatically become law.
From limitation to derogation of rights: Revisiting internet shutdowns during elections in Africa
Posted: 14 June, 2024 Filed under: Chrispin Bosire | Tags: Access to Information, Access to the internet, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, data protection, digital rights, dissemination of opinions, elections, free speech, Freedom of Information and Expression, government-led internet shutdowns, human rights standards, illegitimate restrictions, internet disruptions, internet shutdowns, liberty of expression, national security concerns, press freedom, violation of rights, vital electoral information Leave a comment
Author: Chrispin Bosire
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya
Introduction
Free access to information, free speech and liberty of expression contribute to democratic elections. Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter) guarantees the right to receive information and safeguards freedom of expression and dissemination of opinions. Access to information and press freedom are important elements of free expression. This right is now exercised both offline and online, as provided under Principle 5 of the 2019 press freedom. However, systemic internet disruptions and restrictions on access to communication platforms are on the rise in Africa. This has negatively affected the people’s right to expression during elections, and meaningful access to vital electoral information, necessary to make informed decisions.
Is Covid-19 bringing out the inequalities in the delivery of health services in Mauritius?
Posted: 11 October, 2021 Filed under: Ashwanee Budoo | Tags: African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, complicated surgeries, COVID-19, government of Mauritius, health care services, international obligations, lockdown restrictions, Mauritius, Mauritius’ Constitution, medical treatment, Naveen Ramgoolam, New ENT Hospital, public health, right to health, Social and Cultural Rights, universal access, universal social programs 1 Comment
Author: Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz
Programme Manager of the Master’s in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Introduction
When Mauritius recorded its first Covid-19 case on 18 March 2020, the country already had the strong backbone of the ‘solid social protection system’ to ensure that affected sections of the society are supported. In the area of health, in 2011, it was estimated that Mauritius had 3.4 hospital beds per 1000 population which was better than most sub-Saharan African countries. Hence, one could assume that the government of Mauritius would not face the failure of countries such as South Africa when it came to the provision of health care services for those affected by Covid-19.
As of 1 October 2021, Mauritius had a total of 15,695 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 84 deaths. This was after the country relaxed its lockdown restrictions at the national level. The government has time and again spoken with pride of it being a best practice when it comes to preparedness for dealing with the Covid-19 virus. Indeed, once the country was hit by its first case of COVID-19, it started taking all measures possible to make sure it deals with the provision of health care services. To begin with, in the initial stages, it identified the New Souillac hospital and the New Ear Nose and Throat Hospital (New ENT Hospital) as a quarantine and isolation centre for those showing moderate to severe symptoms of Covid-19. For those with mild symptoms, they were isolated in make-shift treatment centres free of charge with regular follow-up. As the pandemic evolved, the country designated the New ENT Hospital, ‘equipped with the latest modern equipment and technology’ as the facility for treating Covid-19. Hence, anyone testing positive for Covid-19 with symptoms would be transferred to the New ENT Hospital. The country has also fully vaccinated more than half of the population.
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