26 July 2013 - Focusing on human rights during disarmament campaigns and conflicts, UNMISS concluded a two-day workshop for the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) today in the Unity State capital Bentiu.

Organized by the mission's Human Rights Section, the activity aimed to raise awareness of human rights among the 24 senior SPLA officers attending.

SPLA Commander and participant Major General James Koang Chol said SPLA officers must educate themselves about human rights. "We talked (about) a lot of things ... about the disarmament process and what the (human rights) challenges are."

Maj. Gen. Chol also noted that South Sudan had signed several international human rights treaties.

UNMISS Human Rights Officer Bendatta Odorisio stressed the importance of human rights for the national army. "The SPLA is ... the protector of the Constitution of South Sudan ... Many (soldiers) are not aware of human rights."