Projects

Human rights in Sudan

For years on end, wars and violence have completely disrupted social structures in Sudan. Ethnic and religious minorities have no rights. There is no functioning rule of law to protect people. In particular, violence against women is widespread.
 

The biggest country in Africa has never experienced peace. Civil wars, ethnic conflicts and continuous threats by rebel groups has resulted in massive flows of refugees. In the referendum of January 2011, the South voted overwhelmingly for independence. This makes the future of the country and its inhabitants even more unsure.
 

No Human Rights


Social structures which should be able to ensure the protection of inhabitants have been seriously damaged. Large sections of the population have no access to elementary rights. The rule of law scarcely exists. Ethnic and religious minorities are not protected, human rights defenders are in particular in grave danger. Human rights are violated on a large scale.
 

Access to Justice


The first step to improving the justice situation is that victims of human rights violations know which rights they have. This enables them to demand their rights at local, national and international level. In Sudan, Jusitia et Pax works with partner organisations who are in close contact with victims of human rights violations. Like Justitia et Pax, these organisations have a great deal of experience in improving social cohesion, reconciliation processes and access to justice.
 

A motorcycle taxi in Juba on the second day of the South Sudan referendum
© Siegfried Modola/IRIN

 

 

Activities by Justitia et Pax

 

The security situation in South Sudan has become an impeding challenge along with corruption and insecurities with regards to the future of the new nation. Particularly in the South (Tamburo-Yambio), local partners Justitia et Pax Yambio have experienced significant problems with regards to the Lord’s Resistance Army and the developing conflicts with local branches such as the Janyaweed. Addressing the conflict situation and hoping for an amelioration of the current security situation is a primary concern of our partners in Tamburo-Yambio.

 

Despite the triumphed independence of South Sudan in July 2011, it remains to be seen how this newfound independence will impact and affect the precarious security situation in the country.

 

Justitia et Pax Yambio are taking a three phased approach, commencing with the development of an Early Warning System. Phase two will entail setting up a ‘Report System,’ and phase three will engage, on the basis of the reports emanating from the Report System, in advocacy with regards to both local and national government. They have thus requested Justitia et Pax NL to assist them with the processes of institution building as well as the development of workshops in human rights in order to empower them with the necessary tools to carry out their work.
 

Justitia et Pax:

  • helps to establish committees which can help to carry out the work of the Justitia et Pax Commission in South Sudan. The committees analyse the human rights situation and work for reconciliation for example through interreligious dialogue;
  • translates its knowledge of reconciliation processes and international legal mechanisms to the Sudanese situation and trains partners on catholic social teaching so that they can further translate this knowledge into advice to the Bishops’ Conference and in training courses;
  • mediates where necessary for international or local shelter and support of human rights defenders who are in danger;
  • supports partners in reporting at international level on human rights violations, for example in writing shadow reports for the United Nations Universal Periodic Review;
  • helps partners to gain access to international fora like the European Union in Brussels and the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
  • builds the lobby capacity of local organisations by giving workshops and facilitating visits to bodies in Brussels, Geneva and The Netherlands. Partners are trained to make their case heard.

 

Collaboration

 

In Sudan, Justitia et Pax Netherlands collaborates with Justitia et Pax commissions at national and diocesan levels as well as with local partners such as the Sudanese Ecumenical Forum.
 


 

What is a UPR?

A Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is an evaluation of the human rights situation in a country.

 

Since 2008, all countries must undergo a human rights review in the Human Rights Council of the United Nations (UN) every four years. Information for the UPR is submitted in advance and comprises:


1)  A report by the government concerned;


2)  Recommendations and comments by treaty bodies and UN rapporteurs on the country, compiled by the High Commission for Human Rights;


3)  Studies by human rights and development organisations.


The review further consists of a three hour session in which countries pose questions and make recommendations. The country under review can respond to these and must indicate which recommendations it will implement in the coming four years.


Interest of Partners

 

Justitia et Pax supports partners in lobbying at the UN. The UPR offers a new opportunity to discuss human rights situations, even for countries which in the past were often not the subject of discussion, Justitia et Pax took part in for example the UPRs for The Netherlands, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Nigeria.

At a Juba polling station on voting day in Southern Sudan referendum (photo: Siegfried Modola/IRIN).
At a Juba polling station on voting day in Southern Sudan referendum (photo: Siegfried Modola/IRIN).