SSHRDN: South Sudan Civil Society Weak, Civic Space Rated 2/5

• An Expert Panel convened by the SSHRDN rated South Sudan's civil society environment as "Weak" with a score of 2 out of 5.
• The assessment, based on EU SEE principles, found that existing legal and institutional frameworks are poorly implemented, creating significant operational barriers for civic actors.
• Civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and journalists face restrictions limiting their ability to operate freely and participate meaningfully in public affairs.
• SSHRDN urged the South Sudanese government to protect fundamental freedoms, strengthen legal frameworks, and ensure meaningful civic participation and responsiveness.
• International partners are called upon to use these findings to bolster support for South Sudanese civil society and human rights defenders.

The overall 'Weak' rating serves as a stark indication that substantial reforms are urgently needed to cultivate an environment where civil society can operate securely, independently, and effectively.

The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN) recently convened an Expert Panel to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the enabling environment for civil society within the country. This evaluation, which utilized the Six Principles of the European Union Strengthening an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) framework, concluded with a concerning overall score. The panel assigned a rating of 2 out of 5, categorizing South Sudan's civic space as "Weak." This finding directly addresses the state of the SSHRDN South Sudan civil society weak environment.

This "Weak" designation signifies a significant disconnect between the theoretical existence of legal and institutional frameworks and their practical application. While foundational laws and structures may be present, their implementation remains insufficient, creating substantial hurdles for civic actors. The assessment considered various dimensions, including the respect for fundamental rights, the robustness of the legal and regulatory framework, access to sustainable resources, the responsiveness of the state, the prevailing public culture regarding civil society, and the security of the digital environment.

The Expert Panel's findings underscore a pervasive challenge for civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and journalists in South Sudan. These groups consistently encounter considerable barriers that impede their capacity to operate freely, engage meaningfully in public discourse, and contribute effectively to democratic governance. The assessment specifically highlighted a critical disparity between commitments enshrined in law and policy and the lived realities experienced by civil society actors across the nation, indicating a restrictive South Sudan civic space.

This gap between legal provisions and their inadequate enforcement creates a fragile environment where the freedom of association is often curtailed. Despite the presence of a nominal South Sudan legal framework civil society, the practical application of these laws often falls short, leading to arbitrary restrictions and interference. Such conditions necessitate heightened vigilance and strategic advice for any entities operating within or planning to engage with South Sudan's civil society sector, given the significant operational risks.

James Bidal, who heads the SSHRDN Secretariat, emphasized the indispensable role of a robust and independent civil society in fostering peacebuilding, facilitating democratic transition, ensuring accountability, and upholding human rights in South Sudan. He characterized the score of 2 out of 5 as a grave warning, signaling that the conditions essential for an effective and independent civil society are not yet established. This South Sudan civic space assessment, according to Bidal, should serve as an urgent call for concrete action rather than merely a numerical rating.

In response to these findings, the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network has issued several demands to the Government of South Sudan. These include the immediate protection of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, alongside an end to arbitrary restrictions. The network also called for strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for civil society, removing unnecessary administrative and political obstacles, and guaranteeing that organizations can access sustainable resources without discrimination. Furthermore, SSHRDN urged the government to ensure meaningful civic participation, including genuine consultation with civil society in policymaking, and to protect digital civic space from unlawful surveillance, censorship, and intimidation. The network also appealed to international partners, donors, and human rights mechanisms to leverage these assessment findings to bolster support for South Sudanese civil society and human rights defenders, particularly those working under increasingly difficult circumstances, aligning with the goals of the EU Strengthening Enabling Environment Civil Society initiatives.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients operating or planning to operate in South Sudan's civil society sector should be aware of the significant operational risks and legal challenges highlighted by this assessment. The gap between existing legal frameworks and their inadequate implementation necessitates heightened due diligence and strategic advice on navigating a restrictive and fragile civic space.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj