Activist welcomes plan to train NSS officers on human rights

JUBA – Prominent South Sudan activist Edmund Yakani has welcomed plans by the National Security Service to train its officers on human rights, saying the citizens of the world’s youngest country are afraid of the intelligence agency.

This comes a day after the National Security Service said it is planning to train its servicemembers on human rights.

In a statement, Yakani who is also the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed the decision by the NSS, and said training the security officers on human rights will help in the fight against immunity.

“CEPO welcomed the training of the NSS on understanding the importance of the human rights and due legal process. The society is totally afraid of NSS officers when it comes on matters of human rights protection. The past years NSS was viewed with bad image over the issues of human rights violations registered against their acts,” Yakani said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.

“This new trend of training NSS officers on understanding human rights is a good move and seriously welcomed if it is put into practice by ye trained NSS officers. This act of human rights training for NSS officers it adds plus to the acts of trail NSS officers over unlawful acts. On the other it helps the citizens to begin regaining trust and confidence on NSS,” he added.

The prominent and outspoken activist further said the National Security Service “should be acting professional and within the content of the law with full observation of human rights and adherence to the principled civil-rule.”

“CEPO is urging the leadership of the NSS to further contribute strengthening dialogue between the citizens and NSS over matters of human rights protection and adherence to the principle of civil-rule,” he added.