Expert Panel Assesses South Sudan's Civil Society Environment as 'Weak'
An Expert Panel convened by the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN) has evaluated the enabling environment for civil society in South Sudan, assigning it an overall score of 2 out of 5, categorizing it as 'Weak'. This assessment, based on extensive discussions and an evaluation of legal, institutional, political, civic, and digital environments, indicates that while important legal and institutional frameworks exist in principle, their practical implementation remains inadequate. Civil society organizations, human rights defenders, journalists, and other civic actors in South Sudan continue to encounter significant barriers that restrict their ability to operate freely, participate meaningfully in public affairs, and contribute to democratic governance. The assessment considered six key principles, including respect for fundamental rights, a supportive legal framework, access to resources, an open state, public discourse, and a secure digital environment. The SSHRDN emphasizes that this fin...
