Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of South Sudan to ensure that the Voluntary and Non-Governmental Humanitarian Organizations Bill, currently before the South Sudan Parliament, will enable citizens and civil society organisations to engage in humanitarian activity, enjoy freedom of association and engage in monitoring and accountability systems in accordance with democratic principles.

The British Embassy in Juba has, alongside national and international partners, actively lobbied the Government of South Sudan on the Voluntary and Non-Governmental Humanitarian Organizations Bill currently before the South Sudan parliament. The United Kingdom wants to see proportionate and well-designed legislation that provides a clear legal framework within which citizens and civil society organisations can engage in humanitarian activity, enjoy freedom of association and engage in monitoring and accountability systems in accordance with democratic principles. We continue to make clear to the government where the draft legislation might better achieve these aims.