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A coalition of 120 female legal professionals in South Sudan has called on lawmakers to impose life imprisonment for perpetrators of sexual violence against children, saying rising abuse cases require urgent reform of the country’s penal laws.

The group, meeting in Juba, issued a joint statement on Sunday after deliberations on legal, political, and social challenges facing the country. They are seeking an amendment to Article 247 of the Penal Code Act 2008, which currently provides custodial sentences for sexual offences against minors.

The lawyers said existing penalties are not strong enough to deter offenders.

Advocate Fareda Philip Nyanan said the coalition had reached a unified position on the need for reform.

“We have reviewed the prevailing conditions and reached a unified position calling for urgent reforms,” she said.

“Life imprisonment must replace existing sentences if we are to curb the spread of sexual crimes against children.”

The group also raised concern over what it described as interference in criminal cases involving child sexual abuse. It said influential individuals often obstruct investigations, protect suspects, and pressure families into settling cases outside the formal justice system.

The lawyers said such actions amount to indirect criminal involvement and undermine the integrity of the justice system.

They called on law enforcement agencies to be allowed to carry out investigations without interference.

The coalition also urged parents to reject financial settlements in cases of sexual violence, saying such agreements deny children justice.

In many parts of South Sudan, sexual violence cases involving minors are often resolved through compensation paid to victims’ families, effectively ending criminal proceedings.

The lawyers said such practices compromise children’s rights and should be rejected in favour of formal prosecution.

The statement also referred to upcoming political processes, including elections for the Bar Association and the 2027 presidential election, saying the group remains committed to strengthening legal institutions and promoting the rule of law.

The lawyers said child protection will remain central to their civic engagement.

The coalition closed its statement with a call for continued advocacy on children’s rights and justice reform.

The appeal comes amid what the group described as a rise in rape cases involving children, particularly girls, across the country. The justice system continues to face challenges linked to weak enforcement capacity, past conflict, and limited access to formal courts in rural areas.

No immediate response was available from the Ministry of Justice or the National Legislative Assembly.