The European Union Delegation to South Sudan, together with its Member States present in the country, France, Germany and the Netherlands, and their partners, commemorated International Human Rights Day at the University of Juba on Tuesday.

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The commemoration included speeches and a fireside-style panel discussion on accountability and human rights with diplomats, government officials from line ministries and judicial institutions, civil society, the Bar Association and media representatives.

Speaking at the event, Lothar Jaschke, Deputy Head of Mission of the EU Delegation in Juba, reiterated the need for concerted efforts to promote and protect human rights for a more inclusive, prosperous and just South Sudan.

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“All rights are interrelated and indivisible, including social, economic and cultural rights. All human rights are equally essential to ensure human dignity,” Mr Jaschke said.

“Nevertheless respect for human rights and rule of law is not a given. They can be turned around overnight. We have seen this happen in several countries, also in Europa. Also now we are confronted with armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, climate disasters, impunity, and growing inequalities. We have to work, argue, advocate, take actions, stand up every day for the respect of human rights.”

The representative of the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs at the event, Mr Lawrence Kamilo, said the ministry in its quest to promote the observance of human rights proposed the Human Rights Council which was to play an advisory role to the presidency but has not been operationalised. He urged the various like-minded partners to encourage and support the Human Rights Council proposal, which he said, if implemented, will play a great role in shaping the dispensation of rule of law and observance of human rights in the country.

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Arbitrary arrests, lack of access to justice especially in rural areas due to the shortage of judges, arrest and detention of journalists, gender-based violence and domestic violence topped the list of examples of recurring human rights violations during the panel discussion moderated by Eye Radio.

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H.E. Paul Tholen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to South Sudan, Prof. Robert Deng Mayom, Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, Justice Perpetua Ajonye, a constitutional lawyer, Justice Justin Nyuon, Acting Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of South Sudan, Joseph Omara of the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders' Network, Jackline Nasiwa, Executive Director of the Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice, Ter Manyang, Director for the Centre for Peace and Advocacy, Deputy Secretary General of the Bar Association of South Sudan, Stephen Wani and Mary Ajith of Journalists for Human Rights, among others, attended the Human Rights Day event.

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