UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 57) On employment opportunities for women, the Government has adopted measures to increase women participation in the public service and recruitment into organized forces. A number of female officers were recruited and promoted to various ranks and files, including promotion to the ranks of Generals in the army, National Security, police, prisons and Wildlife. The organized forces Code of Conducts determines exclusion of perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence from the forces including in the would-be Necessary Unified Forces.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 62) JS4 reported that there was no birth registration system in South Sudan, and that the Government instead issued age assessment certificates. This impacted on the enjoyment of child rights, including in establishing a minimum age for marriage and for criminal responsibility, and access to essential services, including health, education and protection. JS6 noted that the 2018 Civil Registry Act outlined the procedure for birth registration and that the Government had launched a pilot program, but emphasized the need for awareness on the importance of birth registration and for providing access to health care facilities where newborns can be registered.

National Report:
Para 26) To implement the Council of Ministers directives, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, in March, 2021 established a Taskforce within the Ministry of Justice to coordinate and oversee implementation of the R-ARCSS provisions. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs also in May, 2021, established a Technical Committee in accordance with provisions of Article 5.2.1.3 of the R-ARCSS, consisting of experts from the civil society organizations, women organizations, religious leaders, youth and some officials from relevant Government institutions. The Chairperson is an expert from religious institution and deputized by a female, from civil society organization. The Committee is to conduct a nation-wide consultation with youth, women, civil organizations, victims of the conflicts. The outcome of the consultations would be the basis for the enactment of legislation, for the establishment of the CTRH in accordance with provisions of Article 55.1.1 of the R-ARCSS.
Para 32) To overcome impunity through accountability, the Government in 2019, under its obligations in Chapter II of the R-ARCSS, introduced some institutional reforms in the security sector by setting up investigation committees which resulted in the prosecution of some individuals for violation of human rights, including gender-based violence against civilians, especially women and children.
Para 37) All stakeholders to the Judicial Reform Committee shall respect the 35% of women as mandated by the R-ARCSS in the selection of their respective representative’s representation. The Judicial Reforms Committee would be chaired and deputized by an imminent legal person, to be identified and recruited by the IGAD. As envisaged under the R-ARCSS, the Judicial Reform Committee will lay a firm foundation for peaceful and prosperous country, based on justice, respect for rule of law premised on an independent, effective and efficient judiciary. The Government and IGAD has developed and signed the Terms of Reference pursuant to Article 1.17 and 1.17.5 of the R-ARCSS.
Para 46) To improve the existing mechanisms for reporting cases of sexual and gender-based violence against and to ensure access to justice for victims and survivors of the gender-based violence, the Government with support from the development partners, in 2019, established within the Judiciary a Juvenile and Gender Based Violence Court. The court is based in Juba in Central Equatoria State, with mobile units in Malakal in Upper Nile State, Yambio in Western Equatoria State and Torit in the Eastern Equatoria State. The Court has so far in 2020 to 2021 tried and sentenced 369 cases, out of which, 82 are cases of violence against juvenile and gender-based violence.
Para 47) In upholding its commitment to implement the recommendation on combating impunity, the Juvenile and Gender -based Violence Court, in 2021, tried and sentenced 60 cases, out of which, 19 cases are relating to violence against women and children. It is evidenced that with the ongoing prosecutions and public awareness programme, there have been some behavourial changes in relation to SGBV issues.
Para 58) To ending impunity at the State level of the Government in 2019, a military court martial in Yei, prosecuted 36 cases of looting, murder and sexual violence, committed by military personnel against civilian. All were convicted and sentenced to various imprisonment terms and were all discharged from service.

UN Compilation:
Para 64) UNHCR reported that impunity regarding sexual and gender-based violence coupled with limited livelihood options had had a negative impact, particularly on women and girls, some of whom had been subjected to sexual exploitation and had to engage in survival sex.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 52) JS8 noted that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence lived mostly in rural areas with limited access to healthcare, or witness and victim protection. Survivors suffered physical and psychological impacts, stigma, and economic losses. Despite some training of SSPDF forces on prosecuting sexual violence crimes, and several related convictions, only low-ranking officers had reportedly been tried, and survivors had not received compensation.

National Report:
Para 46) To improve the existing mechanisms for reporting cases of sexual and gender-based violence against and to ensure access to justice for victims and survivors of the gender-based violence, the Government with support from the development partners, in 2019, established within the Judiciary a Juvenile and Gender Based Violence Court. The court is based in Juba in Central Equatoria State, with mobile units in Malakal in Upper Nile State, Yambio in Western Equatoria State and Torit in the Eastern Equatoria State. The Court has so far in 2020 to 2021 tried and sentenced 369 cases, out of which, 82 are cases of violence against juvenile and gender-based violence.