LEER - “Peace and justice are paramount for our community.”
Leer County Commissioner, General James Kuol Tap, set the tone for a specialized training for 50 traditional chiefs and 20 police officers from across southern Unity in how to investigate crimes, ensure human rights standards are adhered to, and that court proceedings flow smoothly.
The five-day training by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, with support from Norway and the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund, comes ahead of the deployment of a mobile court to the area next month. It seeks to enhance peace and security across southern Unity through reconciliation, stabilization and resilience activities, including strengthening rule of law through capacity building and accountability.
“We will work together to unite our people and promote peace and justice in our communities,” said General James Kuol Tap. “By improving rule of law, we will also improve security.”
UNMISS Justice Advisor, Albert Phikani, says the investigators and traditional chiefs will assist with crime investigations and the court process itself.
“We are building the capacity of the investigators and traditional chiefs to protect human rights, including through their role in presiding over customary courts,” he said. “They play a central role in raising awareness among the public about access to justice.”
South Sudan National Police Service facilitator, Jackson Taban Sebit, appealed to traditional chiefs to promote justice in their daily activities.
“As chiefs in charge of customary courts, it is better for you to enable citizens to have access to formal justice processes. Rule of law is when a society is governed by the law.”
As well as legal frameworks and theory, participants also learnt practical skills in all steps involved in handling criminal cases, such as receiving complaints, collecting evidence, recording statements, and preparing reports for court.
“Proper investigations and documentation help the court to judge cases fairly,” said Panyijar County investigator, Majak Jiek.
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By Jacob Ruai
