Authorities of Jubek State are calling on chiefs to prioritize human rights issues when performing their role as traditional judges.

Jubek State minister of local government and law enforcement Isaac Ribek who was addressing the opening of a workshop on the rule of law and human rights in Juba, said chiefs can help address issues of gender-based violence and other human rights violations.

In a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj, the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP Country Director Dr. Kamil Kamaluddeen said, “The importance of traditional authorities in every society cannot be understated, not least because they are the first point of contact in the resolution of conflict at the rural community level.”

Dr. Kamaluddeen added that traditional leaders should be able to align customary laws with international standards and the South Sudan Bill of Rights at the local levels hence fostering peace and stability.

The four-day workshop attended by 20 traditional leaders seeks to promote harmonization of customary law and formal law, to increase legislative compliance of customary law, and to help traditional authorities align their practices with human rights standards.

It is organised by the United Nations Development Programme’s Access to Justice and Rule of Law project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Jubek State Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agency.