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| Fast
Facts: |
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• Project
Document |
| Location: |
Aweil,
Bentiu, , Bor, Juba, Malakal,
Wau, and Yei |
| Duration: |
April 2006 -March 2008 |
| Focus
area: |
Democratic
Governance |
| Donors: |
The
Netherlands ,
Denmark,
European Commission |
| Total
budget: |
US$
6,555,084 |
| Partners: |
Implemented by UNDP (Direct Execution),
in close cooperation with Government
and civil society stakeholders.
|
| Delivery
for 2007:
|
US$
2,691,000 |
| Contact
person in UNDP: |
Sue
Tatten, Rule of Law Head of Unit
sue.tatten@undp.org
|
|
Background
The prolonged civil war in the Sudan,
which ended with the signing of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)
between the Government of Sudan (GoS)
and the Sudan People’s Liberation
Movement/Army (SPLM/A) called for the
establishment of new laws as the cornerstones
for lasting peace, unity and democracy.
In spite of the establishment of key
institutions of governance and pronouncements
on constitutional rights, the Government
of Southern Sudan (GoSS) faces numerous
challenges in the areas of access to
justice and rule of law.
In Southern Sudan, the transition
from military rule to a governance
system, based on the rule of law,
is encumbered by capacity deficits
in legislative, judiciary and law-enforcement
institutions, as well as in traditional
authorities, in promoting the rule
of law and facilitating efficient,
equitable, and accessible justice
systems. The physical infrastructure
and operational equipment of most
institutions have been badly maintained
and in some cases are non-existent,
and there is a dearth of adequately
trained judges, lawyers, police and
prison staff. Traditional leaders,
responsible for addressing disputes
through the use of customary mechanisms,
lack knowledge on the newly established
transitional legal framework and how
customary law relates to the CPA and
other statutory laws.
These institutional and operational
gaps are compounded by a considerable
lack of legal knowledge, both substantive
and procedural, amongst the general
population. This is exacerbated by
limited civil society and community-based
organizations to address the training
and advocacy needs of the populace.
The formal mechanisms to address criminal
behaviour and human rights violations
are inadequate for addressing the
current post-conflict environment.
Objectives
The project's objectives are to create rights awareness at community levels, advocate for the promotion and respect of the transitional legal framework, and provide support to the Southern Sudan Human Rights Commission to build its staff capacity for protecting people's rights and linking with community-based rule of law activities
Snapshots of the project's major achievements
• Conducted training and awareness-raising
of local stakeholders (civil society
and government) in all project locations
(Aweil, Bentiu, Bor, Juba, Malakal,
Wau, and Yei)
• Established a Justice and Confidence
Centre (JCC) in Juba, and supported
the Southern Sudan Law Society Legal
Aid Centre in Yei.
• Trained new human rights monitors
for the Southern Sudan Human Rights
Commission
• Established Rule of Law fora
in Bentiu, Bor, Malakal, Wau and Yei
to link justice providers with communities.
• Implemented quick impact projects
to support civil society and rule of
law institutions at state and county
levels.
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