UPR SESSION 40 SOUTH SUDAN SUBSCRIPTIONS PER 100 INHABITANTS 0 0 SOUTH SUDAN WORLD South Sudan must align its laws and practices with international human rights standards in order to protect digital rights South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has witnessed several political challenges that further delayed overdue national elections. South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the autonomous National Security Service (NSS) exercise an overbearing influence on political affairs. Articles 32 ,24 ,22 of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 provide for the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, access to information respectively. These rights are also provided for under international human rights treaties like the ICCPR and the African Charter, which South Sudan is party to. Despite these provisions, these rights continue to be at risk in South Sudan. As a result, digital rights are under threat in South Sudan, with the country seeing attacks on media practitioners, arbitrary use of communications surveillance, and expensive internet access. We therefore call on states to recommend that South Sudan should protect digital rights in the upcoming third UPR cycle. SUBMITTING ORGANISATIONS1 SMALL MEDIA CIPESA DEFYHATENOW FOE HUB REGION PRESS FREEDOM RANKING Mobile UPR 2022 Active mobile broadband Reporters Without Borders INDIVIDUALS USING THE INTERNET 12 10 80 6 4 0 20 0 HOUSEHOLDS WITH INTERNET ACCESS & INTERNET FREEDOM Sources: Internet Telecommunications Union, Reporters Without Borders FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 139 1801 UPR 2016 RECOMMENDATIONS Decriminalise defamation and desist from arbitrary arrests, torture and intimidation of journalists, human rights activists, and government critics. Allow for independent judicial oversight over surveillance requests, in line with international human rights standards. Enact a data protection and privacy law, in line with international and regional standards. 140