Human Rights Day was observed in Wau by bringing attention to various forms of human rights violations and ways to prevent these violations through song, drama and a quiz.

Six secondary schools in Wau, a town in the northwestern region of Bahr el Ghazal, and students from Bahr el Ghazal University took part in a play which highlighted issues about domestic violence, gender-based violence and the right to education.  

Wau State Acting Director General for Education Nicola Agamiri said the active involvement of students in commemorating Human Rights Day was critical as young people are the future of South Sudan. 

He said that efforts were underway to form human rights school clubs to help educate youth about human rights principles.

UNMISS Human Rights team leader in Wau, Hellen Hughes, said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) embodied common human aspirations rooted in different cultures and it inspires people to continue working to ensure that all people gain freedom, equality and dignity.

Ms Hughes said “promoting human rights is the bedrock for all progress”.

“The lack of human rights leads to cycle of violence aggravating conflict and it is up to everyone to stand up for his or her rights,” she said.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris in 1948.  2018 will mark 70 years since the adoption of the Declaration.

Prizes were awarded to the winning students and to others who took part in the quiz competition which mainly focused on the UDHR.

A message from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, was also delivered during the event.