African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies ACJPS | المركز الافريقي لدراسات العدالة و السلام
(22 August 2022) In July 2021, African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) received funding from the Embassy of France in Khartoum to implement an 18-month project on Supporting Transitional Justice in Sudan. The project aims at increasing awareness of the public, stakeholders, and civil society organizations to contribute to the transitional justice process. It is also aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society actors to participate in the transitional justice process. Through litigation, the project seeks to challenge the continuation of a culture of impunity and spotlight overdue reforms.
The main objectives of the project are, (a)To create awareness of the public, stakeholders, and civil society organizations to contribute to the transitional justice process and (b)To advance accountability and support victims of human rights violations seeking justice.
Through this grant, ACJPS has been able to build the capacity of civil society actors, lawyers, students and the media in Sudan on transitional justice while highlighting their roles in the transitional justice processes. At least 70 civil society actors have had their capacities built in transitional justice. In addition, ACJPS held a Training of Trainers workshop on transitional justice for 20 civil society actors in Kampala. ACJPS hopes that the trainees will remain a resource for future trainings on transitional justice in Sudan beyond the life of the project.
The grant has also enabled the building of capacities of 15 Sudanese lawyers on transitional justice and strategic litigation. Following the training, the lawyers filed two strategic litigation cases, one before the administrative court and another in the high court to protect the rights of people affected by mining activities and challenge immunity of security officers respectively. Furthermore, ACJPS has also built the capacity of 15 Sudanese media professionals on their role in the transitional justice processes. ACJPS believes that the training will lead to increased coverage and reporting of transitional justice issues by the Sudanese media. Other groups including the youth and members of the resistance committees have also been trained on transitional justice.
Accurate documentation of human rights violations is important to effectively address impunity and achieve demands for accountability in Sudan. As such, through evidence-based monitoring, ACJPS documented and published more than 20 human rights reports and press releases. These evidence-based materials will be used for future legal purposes. ACJPS has also used it to advocate on behalf of individuals at risk.
In the recent years, Sudanese students have been increasingly involved in advocating for a democratic society and demanding accountability for human rights violations in Sudan. To ensure their effective participation in transitional justice process in Sudan, ACJPS sought to increase their knowledge on transitional justice. Through sub granting with local organisations, a total of 6,652 (3,190 girls, 3,076 boys) students were sensitised on transitional justice process and what roles they can play. The increased knowledge will ensure their participation in transitional justice proceedings both as victims, and as members of the transitional society.
ACJPS has used art to create spaces for sensitisation on transitional justice. ACJPS sub grantees partnered with local musicians to compose, record and produce songs on transitional justice. Further, ACJPS through its sub-grantees used a mural painting to renounce hate speech and call for peaceful co-existence in Sudan. Other educational materials including 2000 copies of a magazine and flyers on transitional justice were published and distributed to the community. All these have encouraged home grown conversations on transitional justice.
ACJPS through its sub grantees is providing psychosocial support to victims of human rights violations. Psychosocial support has enhanced the ability of victims of human rights violations to achieve personal and social well-being. At least 11 victims have received psychosocial support. To ensure redress, ACJPS is providing legal aid support to victims of human rights violations.
Therefore, ACJPS extends appreciation to the Embassy of France in Khartoum for their continued support in ensuring democracy, justice and peace in Sudan. The grant has strengthened capacities of civil society actors and increased awareness of the public to ensure their effective participation in transitional justice processes in Sudan. As we continue to fight against impunity in Sudan, ACJPS remains dedicated to creating a Sudan committed to all human rights, the rule of law and peace, in which the rights and freedoms of the individual are honored and where all persons and groups are granted their rights to non-discrimination, equality and justice.
For more information, Contact Mossaad Mohammed Ali at mossaad.ali@acjps.org
