UNDP has donated two motorcycles to the State Human Rights Commission in Bor, the capital of Jonglei State.
The donation, made on Friday, aims to enhance the commission’s capacity to investigate and respond to human rights violations across the state.
UNDP’s Security Specialist for Access to Justice, Security and Human Rights Strengthening Program in Jonglei and GPAA, based in Bor, Peruth Karungi,, confirmed that the motorcycles were secured with funding from the Netherlands.
Karungi explained that the commission’s work has been bogged down by lack of mobility, especially to the deep field locations.
“The lack of transportation has significant hindrance for the Human Right Commission to operate effectively,” Karungi said.
“With these motorcycles, the commission will be better equipped to respond to and investigate human rights abuses throughout Jonglei State.”
UNDP has been supporting the Jonglei State Human Rights Commission through various initiatives, including training for commissioners on monitoring and investigating violations, and community outreach programs aimed at raising awareness. These efforts also include radio talk shows and educational campaigns.
Rule of Law Officer at UNDP in Jonglei State Wilfred Gitere emphasized the importance of the initiative.
“This support came out of the hard work that the Human Rights Commission has been putting in reaching the communities and intervening in issues of human rights and raising awareness, but it was unfortunate that they were limited due to mobility challenges. We happened to gather the little resource we have, and today I am hopeful they will be able to reach the communities in the deep villages within Jonglei State,” Gitere said.
The Jonglei State Human Rights Advisor, Simon Manyok Deng, welcomed the support, noting that UNDP has been consistently aiding programs related to access to justice and human rights.
“This is not the first handover. UNDP previously provided a vehicle to facilitate the transport of inmates from court and prison, and today we received two motorcycles. I appreciate the UNDP for their support of rule of law and human rights in Jonglei State,” Deng said.
A local resident, who spoke anonymously for safety reasons, shared experience with the commission.
“When I was beaten by my husband’s relatives and had my arm broken for refusing to remarry after my husband’s death, I sought help from the Human Rights offices after hearing about them on the radio. They linked me with the Ministry of Gender and the Police, and the perpetrators were arrested and taken to court. With improved mobility, the commissioners will be able to reach more people in need.”