A/HRC/21/34
C.
South Sudan National Police Service
53.
The South Sudan National Police Service is in need of sustained assistance in the
fulfilment of its mandate to prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain law and public
order, protect people and property, and uphold and enforce the Constitution and the law.
54.
Three hundred United Nations police are co-located with the South Sudan National
Police Service with the aim of transferring knowledge and skills. This important aspect of
technical assistance to police is undermined by the limited access of UNMISS to many
locations owing to poor infrastructure. The United Nations police, in collaboration with
stakeholders, have developed a strategic training plan for the period 2012–2015, which lays
the foundation for long-term institutional development and draws upon the National Police
Service Strategic Plan for 2010–2013 and the Framework for Action Plan for 2011–2015.
The UNMISS Human Rights Division works closely with United Nations police by
providing specific human rights modules.
55.
Donors and the international community should continue to support ongoing
technical assistance by United Nations police and focus on the priority needs of the South
Sudan National Police Service, including literacy training for police members,
infrastructure development and training in crime investigation, gender-based violence and
human rights.
D.
South Sudan National Prison Service
56.
The South Sudan National Prison Service currently falls short of fulfilling its
mission to be correctional, reformative and rehabilitative. International actors working on
the prison system have commended the leadership of the Prison Service, which is aware of
applicable international standards. The main challenges that it faces remain the lack of
resources and capacity among prison personnel, particularly in the States. A prison
assessment conducted in all States by the UNMISS Human Rights Division in 2011 reflects
concerns about overcrowding and inadequate food and health care. The Corrections
Advisory Section of the UNMISS Rule of Law and Security Institutions Support Office
provides the Prison Service with advice and technical assistance, and has corrections
advisers assigned to prisons throughout South Sudan. Despite this assistance, new facilities
are necessary, as is the financial and human capacity to maintain prison facilities and to
respect international standards.
E.
Human Rights Commission
57.
The Human Rights Commission was established in 2006 following the signing of
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. It has both oversight and promotion functions.
Oversight powers include investigating, monitoring and reporting human rights violations.
Its promotion functions cover human rights education, training and awareness-raising. The
Commission has been operating offices in all 10 States; owing, however, to current
austerity measures, State offices have been regionalized, and only three are currently
operational. The Commission has put in place a strategic plan for 2012–2015 and prepared
a work plan for 2012.
58.
UNMISS has provided the Human Rights Commission with continuous support,
while OHCHR has co-located a consultant within it. The consultancy has already
contributed to the Commission’s strategic planning and institutional development. The
Commission faces, however, numerous challenges. As it is not well known by the public, it
does not receive many complaints and has yet to issue public reports on human rights
12
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