UNMISS holds forum on detentions in Jonglei

11 Mar 2013

UNMISS holds forum on detentions in Jonglei

8 March 2013 - To strengthen the justice and legal systems in Jonglei, UNMISS completed a five-day training for state law enforcement officials today in the capital Bor.

Under the theme "Facilitating an end to Prolonged and Arbitrary Detentions in Jonglei", the session aimed to create awareness among participants and serve as a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas.

The training was attended by 60 Lawyers, prosecutors, police, fire brigade and prison officers.

Topics included impact of prolonged and arbitrary detention on access to justice, police power and role in criminal justice, women in justice system administration, human rights and police service, child abduction in Jonglei state and UNMISS' protection of civilians role.

Briefing participants on UNMISS' role, a mission staff member said it advised and assisted the government with its primary responsibility to protect civilians.

The mission could intervene to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence, especially if South Sudanese security forces failed to provide such security, the staff member said.

He also said UNMISS was helping the government protect civilians through an early warning system of imminent conflicts, reporting human right abuses and deterring attacks.

The session was the first of its kind conducted by UNNMISS' Judicial Advisory Section following a request for capacity building from state law enforcement institutions.

In closing remarks, Daniel Deng, head of Legal Administration in Jonglei said the training would contribute significantly to promoting justice in the state.

Participant Rachael Amuor, Legal Administrative Officer from Jonglei Legal Administration, said she had gained much from the training. "I learned many things on the issue of human rights vis-a-vis prolonged and arbitrary detention and it will help me to perform my duty efficiently in the future."