The Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union in South Sudan, Lothar Jaschke, on Tuesday, said when human rights are upheld, individuals can reach their full potential, contributing to stronger economies, innovation, and social progress.
He made the remarks while opening an event to commemorate International Human Rights Day in Juba and emphasized that the more human rights are upheld, the better for prosperity, economic development, and the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Today (Tuesday) is a spotlight day for Human Rights in the world. It is the most noble task of a diplomat to raise the voice and beat the drums for human rights and human dignity in the world,” he said. “The Declaration is all in all 30 Articles. 30 Articles that should herald a new age after the horrors of Second in 1993 confirmed the universality of Human Rights. This time by 184 countries and not by the 56 countries who were members of the United Nations in 1948.”
Jaschke highlighted that the European Union embraced the Universal Declaration full-heartedly and made it its course of action.
“Respecting, protecting, and fulfilling human rights is at the heart of the European Union. It is a silver thread that runs through our Foreign Policy. Respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law underpin all aspects of the internal and external policies of the European Union,” he said. “We are marking the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the General Assembly on 10 December 1948. The Declaration is not the first Human Rights Treatise. We can go way back. The religious canons, universal in their outreach, have human rights messages.”
He underscored that the geniality of the Universal Declaration is that it is universal and that the way a government treats its citizens is of international concern.
“Human Rights apply everywhere, at all times, to everyone, in all circumstances. Art 1 says: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood,” Jaschke said. “All rights are interrelated and indivisible, including social, economic, and cultural rights. The right to education. The right to social security. The right to work. The right to pay. There cannot be any hierarchy among rights. All human rights are equally essential to ensure human dignity.”
The envoy said that for the protection of Human Rights in South Sudan concerning the right to life, the European Union is supporting the peace process, the implementation of the peace agreement, an enabling environment for holding elections in December 2026, the drafting of a permanent constitution, and transitional justice.
“Concerning freedom of expression and civic space, we support a free press and media; protection of journalists as well protection of those who defend human rights,” he stated. “Concerning the right to justice, we support the judicial reform for a more accessible justice system that holds to account perpetrators of human rights and law in general; no one shall be above the law”
Jaschke said that the EU also supports socio-economic development through support to education, health, infrastructure like the Nyamlel Bridge, and agriculture.
“We also advocate for the adoption and implementation of international human rights conventions and the participation of South Sudan in the international human rights architecture,” he stated. “Let me pay tribute to the sung and unsung heroes of human rights who gave and give their time, their health, their lives for the enjoyment of human rights by all.”
The Deputy Head of the Delegation of the EU however qualified that respect for human rights and rule of law is not a given.
“They can be turned around overnight. We have seen this happen in several countries, also in Europe. Also now we are confronted with armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, climate disasters, impunity, and growing inequalities,” he illuminated. “We see a backsliding of sacred principles. We have to work, argue, advocate, take actions, and stand up every day for the respect of human rights.”