South Sudan Justice Minister on Monday tables 2008 Penal Code Act Amendment Bill, in the National Legislative Assembly to include emerging crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and defilement in rape cases.
Justice Paulino Wanawilla Unango says the proposed amendments fit South Sudan as a sovereign nation since the previous Act was made before the independence.
National Legislative Assembly Speaker Manasseh Magok Rundial refers the Bill to Justice and Legislation Committee for scrutiny ahead of deliberation in one week’s time.
South Sudan Penal Code Act, 2008 stipulates several offences including kidnapping, trafficking in persons, defamation and murder among others except cases of genocide, war or crimes against humanity.
Human Rights’ groups reported several offences in South Sudan conflict from mid December 2013 to August 2015 amounting to genocide, crime against humanity and war crimes.