By Philip Buda Ladu
Women Parliamentary Caucus at the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) have condemned the raping of a six-year-old minor to death on May 3rd 2022. The legislatures called on the government of Northern Bhar El Ghazal State to ensure that justice is served.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 in Juba, the Women Parliamentary Caucus’ leadership expressed empathy saying that they were saddened and dismayed by what they termed as grave human rights abuse committed against the six-year-old girl in Aweil town of Northern Bhar El Ghazal State.
On 3rd May 2022, a Sudanese trader identified as Saber Abdallah Abusam allegedly raped a six-years-old girl to death in Aweil. The suspect is said to be in Police custody now.
The women parliamentarians said, inhuman act constitutes to murder, rape and defilement which are punishable by law in accordance with the Human Rights Charter and which are fully reechoed in the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan as amended.
“On behalf of the Women Parliamentary Caucus of the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) and on my own behalf, we condemn this heinous act in the strongest terms possible,” the press statement partly stated.
“We called on the government of Northern Bhar El Ghazal State to employ all necessary legal measures to put the perpetrators to book. Mere condemnations towards these horrendous activities inflicted on the young girl and women is not enough, it is a painful and disheartening event that we must by all accord bring to an end,” the Women Caucus further stressed in their statement.
The Women parliamentarians however appreciated every inch of an effort put forth by the Northern Bhar El Ghazal State Government to make sure that the perpetrator is tried in a competent court of law with any prejudice.
The Caucus affirmed its commitment in ensuring that laws and policies that combat gender-based violence, promote gender equality and women’s rights are fully integrated into the laws of the country and be the outcomes of state building.
Women Caucus urged all the country’s institutions at all levels of government to live by protecting the dignity and safety of women and girls.