South Sudan joined the rest of the world today to commemorate Human Rights Day with events in different states under the theme, “Our Rights, Our Freedom, Always”.

In the Jonglei State capital Bor, the day was observed with an event at St. Andrew Episcopal Church of South Sudan, a significant location where a group of civilians sought refuge but lost their lives during an attack on the premises when conflict erupted in December 2013.

The Speaker of the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly, Peter Deng Aguer, said the celebration had raised high hopes for peace and advancement.

He added that it would act as a starting point for a healing process at the grassroots level, leading to reconciliation and final conflict resolution in both the state and the country.

Adut Daniel Chol, a Legal Aid Officer with the South Sudan Law Society, assured the gathering that her organization was ready to work with the legal system and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare to afford legal services required in the fight against gender-based violence in the State

“The (South Sudan Law) Society is working hard to ensure everybody has access to justice as we believe that justice is universal right,” she said.

The day was also commemorated at the UNMISS protection of civilians (PoC) site in the Upper Nile State capital Malakal, with internally displaced persons (IDPs) performing cultural dances.

Mathew Chuol Jock, the Security and Peace Chairman at the PoC site appreciated the roles of UNMISS and humanitarian partners in protecting the IDPs and improving living conditions respectively.

A representative of the displaced women, Rachel Mayik, commended the role played by gender partners in marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.

“The 16 Days of Activism marked the transformation of mindsets in our communities here in Malakal and across the country,” she said. “It is vital for us to practice what we learned during the campaign and stand up against gender-based violence.”

There could be no genuine peace and development in the state and country if the rights of people were abused or ignored, participants at another event in the Warrap State capital Kuajok said.

Speaking at a ceremony held in the state’s Women Union Centre, UNMISS State Coordinator Leda Limann said abuses and violation of human rights could be eradicated step by step.

“You and I can begin this by maintaining and respecting each other’s rights in our homes, community and towns,” she said. “Government can only give us politics, the UN can only guide us but we are the one to implement and respect the rights of others.”

Acting Warrap State Governor Abraham Gum Makuch pledged support and continued adherence and respect for the human rights of the state’s citizens.

“Whoever violates the rights of others will face justice,” he said, adding building of more schools and adult literacy programmes across the country was a fundamental part of efforts to raise awareness and uphold human rights.

More than 200 students attended the commemoration in the Western Bahr el Ghazal State capital Wau.

Addressing participants gathered at the Bahr Ghazal University, Acting UNMISS State Coordinator Nwanne Obahor said it was vital to promote international human rights principles.

“I hope you will leave here today having learnt more about human rights and (that you will_ be able to share them with your communities,” she said.

Noting that Africa was facing grave human rights violations, the university’s Dean of Students James Jerer, called on students to be ambassadors of human rights.

“As future leaders you must do better than our current and past leaders (in leading) the country,” he said. “We cannot lead a country by repression or by suppressing people.”

In Lakes State, celebrations took place in Wulu Town, south of the state capital Rumbek, with UNMISS State Coordinator Kwame Dwamena-Aboagye underscoring the importance of the day.

“This day is not a day for UNMISS,” he said. “It is a day for all the people in the world, accepting the fact that we have rights, that rights must be respected and that rights must be enforced.”

A local drama group explained three rights through a drama performance and Wulu County Traditional Dancing Group also presented a dance, as did the Nepalese Force Reserve Battalion, which also provided medical and veterinarian services and handed over sports equipment.

Speaking during the commemoration in the Eastern Equatoria State capital Torit, UNMISS state coordinator Hiroko Hirahara said UNMISS has changed the mandate last year but still focuses on protections of civilians.

“UNMISS protects civilians in cases related to gender-based violence, criminality, awareness raising and child protection” said Ms. Hiroko.

Also present was Canadian Ambassador Nicholas Coughlan, who emphasized the role of the civil society organizations and the media in democratic transformation of a country.

“The struggle for human rights is a constant one,” he said. “It’s ongoing and there are reverses and setbacks. It is then the duty of civil society, media and human rights activists to keep pressing governments across the world and keep pressing UN to press governments.”

Johnson Sebit , Director General in the State Ministry of Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, commended UNMISS for being an eye opener about the importance of peace in the state.

“Though there’s insecurity here, it (is not) at the level of other states in the country,” he said.

In the Unity State capital Bentiu, UNMISS organized a discussion with government officials on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

UNMISS Acting State Coordinator Benedetta Odorisio presented the contents of the covenants, as well as their monitoring and reporting mechanisms.  

Participants, who also discussed social norms and traditions that were hindering the implementation of the provisions contained in the covenants, said it was necessary to include human rights education in the school curriculum to help nurture children and youth with principles of human rights. 

Ms. Odorisio called for renewed commitment for the protection of human rights by government of South Sudan.

“I can assure you that respecting the rights of everyone is the commitment of the government,” said Acting State
Governor Simon Chuol Biel. “Even though it is not 100 per cent possible, but with time we will do more.”