UNDP supported the development of the permanent constitution of South Sudan. The National Constitution Review Commission was formed as a leading actor in the constitution-making process. Through community-based radios and other outreach and dialogue projects, over two million people were reached with the information about the constitution-making process. In addition, UNDP facilitated consultations with 800 professionals to define recommendations for the Judicial Reform Committee on the judicial reform.
Over 7,000 vulnerable individuals benefitted from legal aid services, including internally displaced persons, refugees, returnees, people living with HIV/AIDS and almost 3,000 women. Almost 1,000 women from formal and traditional legal institutions benefitted from legal awareness sessions.
Over 1,300 victims of past human rights atrocities and abuse (including 765 women) received psychosocial support and were organized into 35 new victim support groups. Cumulatively, UNDP continued to support over 4,000 survivors (80 percent are women) through 82 victim support groups where people unlock their potential to develop resilient pathways and skills to recover and prepare themselves to participate in transitional justice processes.
UNDP improved security and strengthened community policing by establishing 53 new police-community relations committees. To ensure inclusive participation, 14 committees are led by women, 26 are led by youth and three – by internally displaced persons. In 2023, over 8,000 people participated in the work of the committees, including 4,000 women. Basic security plans were designed to guide joint local-level action by community members and the police.
In 2023, South Sudan experienced political and economic challenges, deteriorating humanitarian and health situation and food insecurity. Intercommunal violence, effects of climate change such as floods and drought, as well as influx of more than half a million refugees from Sudan triggered conflicts within and among communities that struggled to access basic services and resources.
The year was also critical for the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in line with the roadmap which had extended the transitional period and postponed the elections till 2024. In November 2023, the Government reconstituted all three independent institutions that are key for the constitution-making and elections: the National Elections Commission (NEC), the National Constitution Review Commission (NCRC) and the Political Parties Council (PPC). Some other benchmarks within the R-ARCSS remain behind schedule.
Within Phase III of its Access to Justice, Security and Human Rights Strengthening Programme, UNDP implemented initiatives on transitional justice, human rights, constitution-making and judicial reforms across the country as part of the efforts to implement the R-ARCSS. In addition, it provided tailored support to facilitate access to justice and human rights and improve community security for the most vulnerable individuals. To ensure that all the initiatives were nationally owned, rights-based and gender responsive, UNDP worked in coordination with government institutions 1 , civil society organizations (CSOs), media, UN partners and regional bodies, including United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), UN Women, UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE
As a critical part of the peace process and to replace the country’s transitional constitution, UNDP supported the development of the permanent constitution of South Sudan. The National Constitution Review Commission was formed as a leading actor in the constitution-making process. In addition, UNDP provided expert support in finalizing the drafting of the two bills: the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing Bill and the Compensation and Reparations Authority Bill. Before the bills were sent to the Parliament for debate, review and approval, UNDP facilitated public consultations, including among South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia. Through various UNDP-supported interventions, over eight million people had access to the information on transitional justice processes and over four million were sensitized on access to justice matters in all the ten states and three administrative areas of South Sudan.
UNDP partnered with three CSOs to raise awareness about the constitution-making process in three regions of the country. During workshops and community outreach activities, as well as through radio programmes, talk shows and social advertising the CSOs reached over two million people.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE
To ensure that the judicial reform in South Sudan is people-centred and inclusive, UNDP enabled the Judicial Reform Committee to consult over 800 people in five states, including judges, policymakers, lawyers, civil society activists, women and youth. Through these consultations, recommendations were defined for independent and effective judiciary.
UNDP also ensured the direct provision of legal aid services to over 7,000 vulnerable individuals, including internally displaced persons, refugees, returnees, people living with HIV/AIDS and almost 3,000 women. Due to UNDP’s support, they could address their legal issues through state and county courts, special protection police units and legal aid mechanisms. Almost 1,000 women from formal and traditional legal institutions benefitted from legal awareness sessions.
Further, 1,358 victims of past human rights atrocities and abuse (including 765 women) received psychosocial support and were organized into 35 new victim support groups. Cumulatively, UNDP continued to support over 4,000 survivors (80 percent are women) through 82 victim support groups where people unlock their potential to develop resilient pathways and skills to recover and prepare themselves to participate in transitional justice processes.
COMMUNITY SECURITY
To strengthen community policing and prevent crimes, UNDP supported the establishment of 53 new police-community relations committees in ten states and three administrative areas. To ensure inclusive participation, 14 committees are led by women, 26 are led by youth and three – by internally displaced persons. In 2023, the committees had 274 meetings that brought together 8,724 people, including 4,066 women. Basic security plans were designed to guide joint local-level action by community members and the police. Cumulatively, UNDP helped set up 219 police-community relations committees of which 89 are led by either women, youth or internally-displaced persons.
LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND
To support individuals deprived of their liberty to reintegrate into society upon their release, UNDP organized prison-based vocational skills trainings for over 700 inmates. Over 100 people were released following their successful rehabilitation.
Lessons learned and good practices
Coordinated action across the entire justice system, with engaged leadership at every level, is required to overcome certain adversarial legal traditions and practices that are still omnipresent in South Sudan presenting barriers to change and collaboration. Additionally, the co-creation, participatory decision-making and collective approaches that harness the different views and experiences of South Sudanese is key for the success of the peacebuilding process. Innovative and cost-saving measures must be identified to ensure inclusivity, coordination and working across borders.
Looking forward
UNDP’s Access to Justice, Security and Human Rights Strengthening Programme will continue to strengthen the rule of law in South Sudan by supporting institutions and responding to peoples’ immediate justice and security needs through technical, policy and capacity building assistance.