Southern Sudan Constitutional Drafting Committee

“ 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. ”

“ In all actions concerning children undertaken by public and private welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the paramount consideration shall be the best interest of the child. All levels of government shall accord special protection to orphans and other vulnerable children; child adoption shall be regulated by law. For the purposes of this Constitution, a child is any person under the age of eighteen years. 18 Freedom from Torture No person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. ”

“ The Bill of Rights shall be upheld, protected and applied by the Supreme Court and other competent courts; the Human Rights Commission shall monitor its application in accordance with this Constitution and the law. 11 Life and Human Dignity Every person has the inherent right to life, dignity and the integrity of his or her person which shall be protected by law; no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his or her life. 12 Personal Liberty Every person has the right to liberty and security of person ”

“ 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. ”

“ No death penalty shall be executed upon a pregnant or lactating woman, save after two years of lactation. 22 Privacy The privacy of all persons shall be inviolable; no person shall be subjected to interference with his or her private life, family, home or correspondence, save in accordance with the law. 23 Religious Rights The following religious rights are guaranteed by this Constitution: the right to worship or assemble in connection with any religion or belief and to establish and maintain places for these purposes ”

“ The State shall formulate policies and take reasonable legislative measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realization of these rights. No one shall be evicted from his or her lawfully acquired home or have his or her home demolished save in accordance with the law. ”

“ 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 ”