Grassroots Push for Rights Awareness
Civil society organisations in South Sudan are rolling out intensive workshops that teach citizens how to recognise and claim their fundamental rights.
The sessions, led by the Community Initiative Support Program and Hold the Child, blend legal literacy with storytelling to help communities convert principles into practical advocacy.
Voices from the Workshop
“It is a milestone,” declared Jacob Chol Atem, CISP’s executive director, stressing that a shared understanding of justice fuels equality and peace.
Deng Jerboum Machuor of Hold the Child argued the training offers technical guidance on international law, equipping participants to safeguard lives amid security challenges.
Parliamentary Perspective on Constitutional Guarantees
William Othwon, who chairs the National Assembly’s Human Rights Committee, reminded attendees that the 2011 transitional constitution embeds fair trials and access to justice.
He pointed to institutions such as the South Sudan Human Rights Commission as pillars ensuring the charter’s promises reach ordinary citizens.
Security Forces Affirm Commitment
Deputy Defence Minister James Koang Chuol underscored that military and police codes integrate humanitarian principles that shield civilians and property during operations.
“Respecting life, dignity and equality is non-negotiable,” he said, calling human rights the moral compass of national security.
Foreign Support and Future Steps
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office finances the two-day programme, signalling international confidence in South Sudan’s rights agenda.
Organisers plan follow-up clinics in rural counties, aiming to knit human rights culture into local governance as the nation edges toward lasting peace.