23 civil society organizations say the National Security Bill that has been passed by the parliament is a threat to the security it is supposed to protect.

The controversial bill gives security forces the right to arrest suspected criminals without a warrant.

The Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, Edmond Yakani, told Eye Radio that the bill violates the transitional constitution of the republic.

“The national security bill in its current form is a threat to the very national security that it purports to protect,” Mr Yakani argued.

“In our opinion, the bill and the manner in which it is being developed violates the transitional constitution of the Republic of South Sudan on both substantive and procedural ground.

“In order to bring the legislation into conformity with the transitional constitution and to ensure that the public is given sufficient opportunity to provide input on the draft legislation, we recommend that the government of the Republic of South Sudan conducts the following; one, reframes the mandate of the national security service to focus on intelligence gathering, two, ensures the protection of due process and fair trial rights, and three, restores the law making process to correct procedural irregularities.”

Presidential Press Secretary Ateny Wek Ateny has told Eye Radio that the President may not sign the bill into law if he finds that it will limit people’s freedoms.