Government urged to fund human rights committee amid rising violations

By Jennifer James 

The transitional unity government has been asked to provide necessary funding to the Specialized Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), amid rising incidents of violations in the country.

Simon Malual Deng, Acting Chairperson of the Specialized Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in the TNLA, said his committee is unable to investigate human rights violations due to insufficient funding.

“Our work to identify and protect those whose rights are being violated is ongoing, but we are constrained by insufficient resources. The lack of funding has made it difficult to conduct field operations in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission,” said Malual in an interview on Thursday in Juba.

  He disclosed that the parliamentary committee is working in unison with the South Sudan Human Rights Commission to ensure human rights are upheld in line with the constitutional provisions.

“Our priority is to safeguard the rights of all citizens, especially vulnerable groups,” said Malual.

He also noted that intermittent subnational violence continues to affect particularly women, children, and persons with disabilities. 

“In conflict situations, it is the most vulnerable who suffer the most; women, children, and those people with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by these crises,” said Malual.

Malual said that his committee has been actively investigating human rights violations, focusing on the protection of women, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups. 

He, however, said that limited funding to the committee has hindered it’s ability to fully probe widespread violations.

In addition, Malual also said that heavy flooding has displaced thousands of people, thus impacting hard the lives of the elderly, women, and children.

Despite these challenges, Malual reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to its mission.

“We are determined to continue monitoring human rights violations and doing everything possible to protect the most vulnerable,” he said.