|
| CPR Newsletter: Securing development, peace and justice for all | |
|
Promoting peace in Southern Sudan After more than two decades of war, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was concluded between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Sudan People’s Liberation Army and Government of Sudan in January of 2005. The agreement established a framework for a political solution to the civil conflict based on justice, peace and democracy. The signing of the CPA and the subsequent adoption of an Interim National Constitution, Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan, and state constitutions in the South ushered in a transitional legal framework and more equitable social, economic, and political development. However, achieving a balance between respect for rights and respect for the rule of law can be challenging. Consequently, the UNDP, the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and other partners are assisting people in filling this critical gap in civic knowledge and education. As part of a broader peace effort in Sudan, the initiative in Southern Sudan is focused on strengthening the GoSS’s institutional capacity and ability to establish democratic governance. The programme has implemented five projects to foster rule of law and support the Judiciary/Correctional Service, Police Service and the Ministry of Legal Affairs (MOLA) and Constitutional Development. Part of UNDP’s strategy in promoting rule of law relies on people becoming more aware of rights within the CPA, the Interim Constitution, and other relevant Sudanese laws and practices. To accomplish this, CPA dissemination is integrated into UNDP rule of law projects. UNDP’s projects work with the rule of law institutions of the GoSS while also promoting community and civil society initiatives. On the institutional side, CPA awareness-raising is being achieved through support to the government institutions responsible for the administration of justice, that is, the MOLA and Constitutional Development and the Southern Sudan Human Rights Commission. MOLA has launched a campaign to distribute information on the CPA through its Minister and staff and recently held its inaugural CPA meeting in Rumbek engaging nearly 100 state and local officials in promoting the CPA. UNDP field offices have been asked to partner to provide information about the Bill of Rights to the general public during the campaign. The people of Southern Sudan are eager to be provided with copies of the CPA. UNDP is currently working to facilitate more printing and distribution of the CPA in English and Arabic. As literacy is an issue for many people, approaches are also being used to promote the CPA through alternative media such as radio and creative arts messaging. Local languages are being used to reach audiences that are not accessible by the print media. Using international standards and Sudan’s transitional legal framework, a set of training materials in seven subject areas will be drafted for use by UNDP-supported trainings: Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law Principles, Constitutional Rights and Rule of Law Principles for Law Enforcement, Constitutional Rights and Rule of Law Principles for Prison Staff, Women's Rights and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Children’s Rights, Customary Law and Human Rights Principles. In 2007, UNDP and partners are proceeding with a major public information and awareness-raising campaign. Support from the donor community including the European Community, and the governments of the Netherlands and Denmark have made this assistance possible.
|
Quick
Links... Newsletter
Home Send
us Your Feedback! What do you
think of this article? If you have suggestions on impelementing these
best practices, recommendations for related reading, or other ideas, let
us know.
|