The
National Legislative Assembly on Wednesday ratified United Nations
Child Rights Convention of November 12 1989 to endorse South Sudan’s
membership.
MP Caesar Baya Loyala of Eastern Equatoria State moved a motion for
the ratification of the Child Rights Convention after deliberations.
Speaker Manasseh Rundial Magok confirmed agreement of members who passed the treaty unanimously.
MP Mary Puru of Central Equatoria State urged the assembly to
ratify the Convention without preconditions and waste of time for South
Sudan to become 192nd member.
She argued that the document clearly stipulates child rights and
that South Sudan should not be left behind by the rest of the world.
MP Anna Lino Abyei said the convention was important to fix
irregularities including absence of birth certificates, something she
term a “copy and paste policy” from the Sudan.
She added that children were demanding their involvement in
decision making, respect of rights and solicited support from
legislators.
UN Child Rights Convention ratification coincided with Universal
Children’s Day that calls for prioritization and funding of child
protection from violence.