A/HRC/23/31
stakeholders.2 The plan, which lays the foundation for long-term institutional development,
has been drawn upon the approved Strategic Plan for 2010-2013 and the National Police
Service Framework for Action Plan for 2011-2015.
50.
In accordance with the Strategic Training Plan for 2012–2015, 300 United Nations
police officers are currently co-located with the South Sudan National Police Service with
the aim of transferring knowledge and skills. The Human Rights Division of UNMISS
works closely with United Nations police to provide human rights training modules for
cadets in the national police training academy in Rajaf. A number of human rights training
programmes have also been presented to various police units throughout South Sudan. As
part of their monitoring of police detention, human rights officers provide advice on
improving respect for human rights, particularly with regard to resolving cases of arbitrary
detention.
Sudan People’s Liberation Army
B.
51.
The transitional Constitution of South Sudan envisages that the armed forces operate
as a professional and disciplined body that respects human rights. The Human Rights
Division of UNMISS provides training workshops with the SPLA on the application of
human rights standards, with the main focus on strengthening military justice and
accountability. During the period under review, training for the SPLA was held nationwide.
Many of these activities have been undertaken in collaboration with the UNMISS Military
Justice Advisory Section that engages with the SPLA to ensure respect for the rule of law
and human rights.
52.
The SPLA has established a training academy, the Rumbek Staff College, where
ongoing training sessions are delivered by UNMISS military and bilateral partners.
Accordingly, UNMISS has developed a strategy for strengthening engagement with the
SPLA in which the Human Rights Division provides capacity-building and raises
awareness on the human rights due diligence policy. Discussions are continuing with the
SPLA on the inclusion of thematic human rights sessions in the college curriculum.
C.
Judiciary
53.
In its human rights agenda and plan of action, the Government identified reform of
the justice, law and order sector as an urgent priority and indicated that it would seek
international assistance to strengthen its capacity. The weaknesses of the justice system –
including lack of human, financial and material resources, the need for long-term training
and specialist expertise – have been described extensively in United Nations and other
reports and have had a deep impact on compliance with human rights principles.
54.
According to the Legal Aid Strategy for 2012–2014 of the Ministry of Justice, the
overwhelming majority (an estimated 95 per cent) of individuals in prison have not had the
benefit of legal representation or the right to free legal aid in serious criminal, civil, land
and family matters. Legal aid has emerged as a vital area for technical assistance, because
the lack of legal representation jeopardizes the right to a fair trial and is most pressing in the
case of those detained on death row.
55.
The customary legal system, which operates alongside the statutory system and is
run by traditional leaders pursuant to the Local Government Act of 2009, is another
challenge facing the administration of justice and human rights. While traditional courts are
2
A/HRC/21/34, para. 54.
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