JUBA—June 6th, 2025, In a significant step towards promoting a gender-sensitive, justice-focused and humane legal environment, UNDP South Sudan, with funding from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has completed the renovation of police holding rooms at the GBV and Juvenile Court. This initiative is part of the Access to Justice, Security, and Human Rights Strengthening Programme.

The primary goal was to divide the existing single police holding area into separate spaces for male and female accused persons. This change aligns with international human rights standards and promotes gender-sensitive court operations. The upgraded interiors now meet safety, dignity, and rights-based standards, ensuring that accused persons are held in conditions that respect their rights.

Previously, there was no separation between accused persons, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), and juveniles. This meant female accused persons were held near GBV survivors, exposing them to security risks and secondary victimization—an approach that conflicted with the court's focus on justice and safety for all. The recent renovations have addressed this issue by creating gender-specific holding areas, ensuring safe and fair treatment for all accused, survivors, and juveniles, and improving overall access to justice.

At the handover ceremony, Quirine Timmerman, the First Secretary of Political Affairs/Security and Rule of Law, from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, stated that “…the dignity and protection of survivors, witnesses, as well as the accused, and the alleged perpetrators, is key in ensuring fairness in judgment.” She encouraged the community not to blame the survivors and victims of GBV but rather to educate and sensitize all to play their part in preventing and lawfully responding to the vice.

In her remarks, Catherine Waliaula, the Chief Technical Advisor and Programme Manager for the Access to Justice, Security, and Human Strengthening Programme (UNDP), applauded the sustained partnership between UNDP, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Judiciary of the Government of South Sudan that enabled the successful renovation of the safe holding room. “The handover of the holding rooms creates a key gender-sensitive and trauma-free space for those who come into contact with the law, as they will be treated more humanely,” she stated. She expressed that UNDP remains committed to working with the Judiciary, especially supporting the government in implementing the recommendations of the recently adopted Judicial Reform Committee Report.

Representing the Judiciary, Justice Stephen Simon, the President of the Court of Appeal for Central Equatoria, appreciated the Kingdom of the Netherlands and UNDP for the renovation of the holding rooms. He observed that separate spaces for holding male and female suspected perpetrators was a significant challenge for the Court Police, which has now been solved with the renovation. He also informed that the judiciary would do all within its capacity to address the backlogs in the courts through an expedited approach to avoid prolonged delays in adjudicating cases.

The renovation addressed critical structural issues, including deteriorated walls, floors, and ceilings, and created spaces for adequate ventilation in the separated holding areas. A waterway was also constructed to prevent rainwater from entering and damaging the interiors. Additionally, the rooms were furnished with benches and wall-mounted fans to improve comfort and dignity.

This project was a collaborative effort involving the Judiciary (GBV and Juvenile Court), the National Police Services, and support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. UNDP continues to promote justice that upholds human dignity, safety, and fair treatment for everyone.