1 November 2013 - Seeking to enhance human rights reporting, UNMISS concluded a two-day training course in the Western Equatoria State capital Yambio today.

“There is misconception in the community about the real meaning of human rights,” UNMISS Human Rights Officer and Acting State Coordinator Pilar Cuesta told participants, who were drawn from civil society groups around the state.

“This training (was) intended to equip civil society organizations with skills to embark on awareness creation,” she said.

Ms. Cuesta noted that the training, which focused on monitoring, advocating and reporting human rights, was also aimed at developing and strengthening participants’ capacity to practice them throughout the state.

She added that her team had been working with the state Ministry of Education and Technology through local radio and authorities to educate the local population on responsibilities involved in human rights.

Participants took part in group activities and discussed human rights challenges they faced in their work.

Ahmed Bashir, a participant, urged community members to report human rights violations so that culprits would face the law.