UNMISS helps prevent crime in Malakal protection areas

22 Jul 2014

UNMISS helps prevent crime in Malakal protection areas

22 July 2014 - To boost security in its protection of civilians (PoC) areas, the UNMISS base in the Upper Nile capital Malakal has set up a mechanism to tackle crime.

Among its activities, the UNMISS Security Risk Assessment Committee is building a new detention facility for suspects and working with the internally displaced persons (IDP) Security and Peace Committee to reduce offenses.

“We have an investigation team,” said Acting UN Police (UNPOL) State Advisor Mathias Yevugah. “They go to POC sites daily. They take statements and do their own investigations, write reports and hand them over to the Security Risk Assessment Committee.”

The Security Risk Committee includes representatives of UNPOL as well as the UNMISS Security, Justice Advisory, Corrections, Human Rights and Civil Affairs sections.

The committee deals with minor crimes, but hands over more serious cases like murder or rape to Juba for further investigation.

“Releasing suspects back into community is risky so we don’t allow them to go there,” Mr. Yevugah said. “We detain such a person in our available detention facility, which meets international standards.”

Consumption of alcohol in the PoC areas is one of the main challenges, as it creates disturbances and stimulates crimes like rape, robbery and murder.

The community of Elders within the POCs, headed Security and Peace Committee Chairperson Mathew Chol Jock, is trying to minimize minor cases like alcohol consumption and fighting through traditional courts.

He acknowledges that crime has dropped by working with the mission.

“Through our cooperation with UNMISS … the level of crime within the POCs has dramatically reduced, especially after setting up the holding facility for suspects,” Mr. Jock said.

The UNMISS Justice Advisory Section gives legal advice on matters related to criminality in the POC areas.

“We advise UNPOL on appropriate charges to be prepared against suspects that have been arrested … for committing various acts,” said Judicial Advisory officer Clemence Chimbari.

The IDP population has reached 18,700 at UNMISS Malakal and 1,300 at its Melut base.