The deputy governor in Bentiu, John Juor Yoach, used the local celebration of Human Rights Day to call on the organized forces and other government actors to respect human rights.

“We will try our best to convince every part in this government to respect the human right either in division four or organized forces”, Mr. Yoach said.

Hiroko Hirahara, the UNMISS Head of Field Office in Bentiu, noted that the lack of a functioning civil court in the state is a challenge when trying to protect human rights.  She said community leaders have an important role to play in this pursuit.

“Community leaders also bear responsibility for upholding human rights. And most importantly to everyone who is here, all South Sudanese women and men, I want you to understand your rights”.

John Gatluok, a community representative at the UN Protection of Civilian (PoC) site in Bentiu appealed to the people to promote and respect human rights.

“Human Rights are not just a matter to sing about, they have to be put into practice as well’, Mr. Gatluok said.

 He advised the youth to stop all forms of human rights violations, including sexual violence. 

“We have to respect the rights of our women, we have to respect the rights of our daughters, the rights of our sisters who are here with us in the PoC site”, Gatluok said, adding that a number of suspects of recent cases of gender based violence are believed to be youth living within the PoC site.

Hundreds of people turned up for the Human Rights Day celebration in Bentiu, which included a football competition between the community members and humanitarian staff.  The local UNMISS Human Rights Division also organized Human Rights Day events in Nyal, Panyijiar County, and in Mayom County.