Oil production in South Sudan: A lifeline for the economy or an infringement on children’s right to a safe, clean and healthy environment?

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.

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