Southern Sudan Constitutional Drafting Committee

“ Every person shall have the obligation to protect the environment for the benefit of present and future generations. Every person shall have the right to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations, through appropriate legislative action and other measures that: prevent pollution and ecological degradation; promote conservation; and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting rational economic and social development so as to protect genetic stability and bio-diversity. ”

“ The Republic of South Sudan is bordered by Sudan in the north, Ethiopia in the east, Kenya and Uganda in the south, the Democratic Republic of Congo in the southwest, and the Central African Republic in the west. South Sudan is governed on the basis of a decentralized democratic system and is an all embracing homeland for its people. ”

“ No private property may be expropriated save by law in the public interest and in consideration for prompt and fair compensation. No private property shall be confiscated save by an order of a court of law. 29 Right to Education Education is a right for every citizen and all levels of government shall provide access to education without discrimination as to religion, race, ethnicity, health status including HIV/AIDS, gender or disability. ”

“ South Sudan is founded on justice, equality, respect for human dignity and advancement of human rights and fundamental freedoms. 2 Sovereignty Sovereignty is vested in the people and shall be exercised by the State through its democratic and representative institutions established by this Constitution and the law. 3 Supremacy of the Constitution This Constitution derives its authority from the will of the people and shall be the supreme law of the land. It shall have a binding force on all persons, institutions, organs and agencies of government throughout the Country. ”

“ Citizenship is the basis of equal rights and duties for all South Sudanese. Every citizen shall enjoy all the rights guaranteed by this Constitution. The law shall regulate citizenship and naturalization; no naturalized citizen shall be deprived of his or her acquired citizenship except in accordance with the law. A South Sudanese national may acquire the nationality of another country as shall be prescribed by law. ”

“ Any accused person has the right to defend himself or herself in person or through a lawyer of his or her own choice or to have legal aid assigned to him or her by the government where he or she cannot afford a lawyer to defend him or her in any serious offence. 20 Right to Litigation The right to litigation shall be guaranteed for all persons; no person shall be denied the right to resort to courts of law to redress grievances whether against government or any individual or organization. ”

“ This Constitution shall be interpreted and applied to advance the individual dignity and address the particular needs of the people by dedicating public resources and focusing attention on the provision of gainful employment for the people, and improving their lives by building roads, schools, airports, community institutions, hospitals, providing clean water, food security, electric power and telecommunication services to every part of the country. ”

“ Women shall have the right to own property and share in the estates of their deceased husbands together with any surviving legal heir of the deceased. 17 Rights of the Child Every child has the right: to life, survival and development ”

“ Chapter 2 Citizenship and Nationality 45 Citizenship and Rights Every person born to a South Sudanese mother or father shall have an inalienable right to enjoy South Sudanese citizenship and nationality. ”