(Juba) – South Sudan’s Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has pledged to work closely with civil society organisations to improve the human rights situation in the country, particularly by acting on the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) conducted by the UN Human Rights Council.
The commitment was made during a meeting held on Monday between top officials from the Ministry and representatives from civil society groups. Those present included the Minister of Justice, his Deputy, the Undersecretary, and the Director for Human Rights, along with several human rights advocates from local organisations.
Speaking after the meeting, Jacob Chol Atem from the Community Initiative Support Program (CISP) stressed the importance of cooperation between civil society and the government. He noted that although civil society organisations often report on human rights violations, some of these reports are produced without proper consultation with the authorities.
Atem acknowledged that civil society plays a critical role in holding the government accountable, but he called for unity and mutual respect.
“We are all from South Sudan. Some of us fought for this country. If we write reports without dialogue, they may not be taken seriously,” he said. “But if we work together, as counterparts, we can make a real difference and ensure our voices are heard.”
He also appealed to civil society members living abroad to engage more closely with domestic processes.
“This country is ours,” Atem added. “If we combine our efforts and cooperate with government institutions, we will achieve more, and no one will ignore our concerns.”
Adam Masco Joseph, Human Rights and Advocacy Officer for the local NGO Hold the Child, described the meeting as productive and hopeful. He explained that both the government and civil society organisations agreed to cooperate in implementing the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review.
The UPR is a UN mechanism through which the human rights record of every member state is reviewed regularly. During each cycle, countries receive recommendations aimed at improving their human rights situation, which they are expected to implement.
“The government and CSOs have pledged to work hand in hand to fulfil the recommendations,” Masco said. “It’s a sign of seriousness and partnership.”
Majok Dau Kuot, the Counsel General and Director for Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice, echoed the same commitment. He said the Ministry will now develop monthly plans to monitor and address human rights concerns in the country. Kuot noted that many allegations of human rights violations often appear in the media but are not always confirmed on the ground.
“There are a lot of institutions that claim human rights abuses have occurred in South Sudan,” he said. “We are now determined to examine these issues more carefully and fix what needs to be corrected.”
The meeting marked a step forward in improving trust and cooperation between the government and civil society in South Sudan. If both sides continue to engage constructively, it could lead to significant improvements in the country’s human rights record, which has long been criticised by international observers.
