Juba Courts Inaugurate Safe Holding Rooms in a Landmark Step Toward a Fairer Justice System

Juba – Alwadi Newspaper

In a move considered a qualitative shift in the justice landscape of South Sudan, the Gender-Based Violence and Juvenile Court in the capital, Juba, today witnessed the official handover of newly renovated holding rooms. These facilities have been upgraded and equipped to meet standards that uphold the safety and dignity of detainees—particularly survivors of sexual violence, juveniles, and accused persons.

This achievement comes through collaboration between the Judiciary of South Sudan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with generous funding from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The initiative is part of the “Access to Justice, Security, and Human Rights Strengthening” programme.

The new rooms were designed to provide a safer environment for survivors, who were previously held in close proximity to suspects—an arrangement that exposed them to further trauma and undermined their sense of security.

Project officials emphasized that this step represents tangible progress toward building a more humane justice system that responds to the needs of vulnerable groups. It also reinforces both national and international efforts to advance justice in South Sudan.