Juba, South Sudan – July 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Sudan has provided technical and financial support to the South Sudan Human Rights Commission (SSHRC) in the preparation of its independent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Shadow Report, reinforcing national efforts to promote human rights accountability and inclusive reporting mechanisms.

As part of this support, UNDP, in collaboration with the South Sudan Civil Society Coalition on the UPR, facilitated a five-day technical mentorship programme for the SSHRC technical team from 22 to 26 June 2026. The mentorship programme strengthened the Commission’s capacity on UPR reporting methodologies and the preparation of the Shadow Report.

UNDP further supported the SSHRC to conduct state-level consultations from 6 to 11 July 2026 in Central Equatoria, Lakes, Upper Nile, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria, and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA). These consultations brought together a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations, traditional and community leaders, women’s groups, youth representatives, persons with disabilities, and other key actors.

The consultations provided an important platform for dialogue and enabled stakeholders to share insights on achievements, challenges, and emerging human rights concerns. Discussions were organized around four thematic areas: civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; the rights of women, children and other vulnerable groups; and institutional, governance and accountability issues, including progress made in implementing recommendations from previous UPR cycles.

The inclusive consultations generated valuable qualitative and quantitative information on the human rights situation across the country. Findings and recommendations collected during the engagements formed the basis of SSHRC’s independent Shadow Report, ensuring that it reflected both national trends and local realities.

Following the consultation process, the draft report underwent a stakeholder validation process to verify findings, strengthen recommendations, and promote ownership among participating institutions and communities. The validated report was subsequently submitted to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on 16 July 2026 as part of South Sudan’s engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process.

The support provided by UNDP contributes to strengthening the institutional capacity and independence of the SSHRC as South Sudan’s National Human Rights Institution. By enhancing the Commission’s ability to collect, analyze and report on human rights issues, the initiative supports greater accountability, evidence-based policymaking, and more effective engagement with international human rights mechanisms.

Through its partnership with the SSHRC and civil society actors, UNDP remains committed to supporting inclusive governance, human rights promotion, and strengthened national institutions that can effectively contribute to sustainable peace and development in South Sudan. The successful preparation and submission of the independent UPR Shadow Report marks an important milestone in advancing human rights monitoring and reporting in the country, while amplifying the voices and experiences of communities across South Sudan.