JUBA – The message at the Human Rights Day commemoration in Juba was clear – human rights are equal rights.
Joining parading school children and local performers, government representatives and officials from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan used the opportunity to remind participants and themselves of the costs of not upholding this principle.
‘’Human rights are not just privileges, but daily essentials, especially in times like this,’’ emphasized James Bidal, Head of South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network Secretariat, referring to this year’s theme – Human Rights, Our Daily Essentials.
‘’With local conflicts claiming lives on a daily basis and sexual gender-based violence increasing, access to these rights, be that in form of resources, dignity or freedom, remains uncertain,” he continued.
Not just violent conflicts, also growing food insecurity and water shortages have made the upholding of basic rights more important than ever in South Sudan.
While humanitarian organizations are doing their best to provide relief, their work has been severely impacted by natural disasters like flooding making access to affected areas nearly impossible as well as funding shortfalls.
This has particularly devastating effects on members of vulnerable communities, as Lega Michael, chairperson of the People with Disabilities Union in South Sudan, outlined:
‘’Our rights are infringed, and we are denied equal professional opportunities due to discrimination or lack of accessibility. On top of this, market prices have increased so we often don’t know if we will be able to get food the next day.”
Amongst other things, she advocated for a reduction in taxation on essential goods.
To tackle these issues, all agreed that a concerted approach is needed as everyone is a stakeholder and beneficiary in the context of human rights.
‘’Lets us work as one, from every age and gender, physical condition and position, to make sure that upholding these rights becomes a daily practice in our country,” emphasized William Dak, Specialised Chairperson on Human Rights in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
Sharing individual challenges to identify possible solutions at the event was another step towards this goal.
As UNMISS Director of the Human Rights Division, Musa Gassama, concluded:
“This day reminded us of the fundamental truth that every person, everywhere, deserves dignity, equality and justice. After all, South Sudan was born out of dreams of millions who believed that all people should live in freedom and peace.”
by Alahayi Nemaya
