The Unity State High Court has concluded its proceedings in the Bentiu camp for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in South Sudan, where it heard various criminal cases. According to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the court adjudicated 20 cases, including the first drug-related cases ever tried in Unity State. The proceedings were part of an initiative by the Unity State Government's Task Force on Combating Drug Abuse and Gang Violence.
The court proceedings, which began on September 7, resulted in 17 individuals being convicted, while 14 were acquitted or had their cases dismissed. The cases included drug-related offences, gang violence, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The deployment of the High Court to the Bentiu camp was in response to community concerns about the lack of justice and rule of law mechanisms to address these issues.
The Task Force on Combating Drug Abuse and Gang Violence, a Unity State Government-led mechanism, coordinated the court proceedings and integrated investigation team. The team conducted daily detention inspections, resulting in the release of 67 people, and a further 12 were released during court proceedings, bringing the total to 79. The Task Force also conducted awareness activities with youth in the camp on the harmful effects of drug use.
The court proceedings were funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Juba. The Bentiu camp, established as a Protection of Civilians site in 2013 and re-designated as an IDP camp in 2021, is South Sudan's largest camp for internally displaced persons, hosting over 100,000 people. UNMISS has supported the deployment of seven mobile courts across Unity State since 2024.
The High Court deployment to the Bentiu camp was a significant step towards addressing community concerns about drug use, gang violence, and SGBV. Community representatives reported a marked reduction in gang violence and insecurity during the court's presence, and the availability of drugs was reported to have reduced substantially.
The Task Force on Combating Drug Abuse and Gang Violence brings together representatives from justice, security, and UNMISS to coordinate investigations, accountability, prevention, and community engagement. The team also inspected pharmacies in the camp to prevent the distribution of controlled substances, particularly following concerns about the links between drug use, gang violence, and SGBV.
The conclusion of the High Court proceedings in the Bentiu IDP camp is a significant milestone in the efforts to promote access to justice, combat impunity, and promote accountability in support of peace and security in Unity State. UNMISS has supported the adjudication of 537 cases through mobile courts across Unity State since 2024, following a period with no cases adjudicated through the formal justice system in 2023.
Key points
- The Unity State High Court adjudicated 20 criminal cases in the Bentiu IDP camp, including the first drug-related cases ever tried in Unity State.
- The court proceedings resulted in 17 individuals being convicted, while 14 were acquitted or had their cases dismissed.
- The deployment of the High Court to the Bentiu camp was in response to community concerns about the lack of justice and rule of law mechanisms to address drug use, gang violence, and SGBV.
