Lawyer Josephine Adhet Deng - Courtesy

A South Sudanese lawyer has called on the South Sudan National Police Service and the Juba City Council to summon hotel and nightclub owners and managers in the capital over reports that minors are entering entertainment venues.

Lawyer Josephine Adhet Deng raised the matter following the circulation of online videos showing teenagers inside several nightclubs in Juba. Speaking to Eye Radio, Adhet stated that many of the individuals in the footage appear to be between 11 and 15 years old.

Adhet noted that a government decree issued last year prohibits individuals under the age of 18 from entering nightclubs and discos. She stated that some operators ignore the directive and called for the enforcement of age restrictions through identification checks at entry points.

The lawyer also stated that some venues record and publish footage of minors on social media platforms without consent to generate views and advertise their businesses.

“My problem is that these nightclubs allow teenagers to enter, and most of these teenagers are between 11 and 15 years old,” Adhet said. “Last year, the government issued a decree prohibiting children under 18 from entering nightclubs and discos. My message to the owners and managers of these nightclubs is that they must abide by the law and protect these children by checking their ID cards to verify their ages. If they are under 18, they should not be allowed entry; if they are over 18, I have no objection.”

Adhet added that she has not filed a criminal complaint against any establishment but urged authorities to secure written commitments from operators to enforce the ban.

“The major problem is that most of these clubs have cameras that film these young people without their knowledge,” Adhet stated.

“They have photographers who do this and post these videos on their clubs’ pages for more views, followers, and advertising. I haven’t filed a criminal complaint against the clubs, but I have raised concerns and requested that the police and the Juba City Council summon the managers and owners of these nightclubs and make them pledge not to allow children into the clubs.”