The rule of law in South Sudan is severely undermined by weak institutions, ongoing conflict, and a lack of public trust and confidence, leading to significant challenges in governance and justice.
The Rule of Law Advisory Section works to strengthen protection of civilians through restoration and reform of the rule of law and justice sector across the country, to combat impunity and promote accountability; transform the security sector; reduce community violence; and support legal reform and oversight.
The team supports the deployment of accountability mechanisms tailored to leverage local peace arrangements in response to subnational violence, helps national authorities to restore the presence of rule of law actors in priority locations, and strengthens links within the justice chain, including the judiciary, prosecutors, and the prison system.
RoLAS assists with the development of strategies for community violence reduction and strengthens the capacity of civilian and military justice actors to respond to and prevent sexual and gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence.
It also supports the transformation of the security sector through the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, and effective engagement of civil society, youth, and other marginalized groups; and through engagement with national and subnational entities, such as parliamentary committees, security forces and institutions, and military justice components.
A priority is to enhance access to justice, including through legal reforms, access to laws, and improved public oversight. It is actively supporting the deployment of mobile courts across the country, including General Courts Martials, and the development of security sector women’s networks, in partnership with the Gender Unit.
RoLAS provides technical assistance and support to Ministries and other key institutions, such as the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Law Review Commission, Judicial Reforms Committee, Anticorruption Commission, and other key bodies promoting legislative and institutional reforms.