A school debate competition in Rumbek, Lakes State on Friday won by Loreto Girls with 82 percent against Riakdor Secondary School with 74 percent labelled human rights to be harmful to South Sudan cultures.
Speaking to Good News Radio after the debate, participant Cleon Deng from Loreto Girls who opposed the motion argued that much as human rights change some bad elements of cultures, they erode and kill cultural values.
She cited evils like abortion and homosexuality as being propositions by human rights’ defenders.
Ms Deng argued that human rights’ defenders support gay law, terming it devilish.
Riakdor Secondary School participant Santo Meen Mading argued that Africans should change their ways of life for the better.
He challenged traditions that discourage girls’ education, driving them to unhappiness in life.
Mr Meen argued that it was wrong for parents to force girls to marry men not of their choice.
He observed that it was only through human rights adoption that girls’ rights to choose marriage partners are respected.
Debate adjudicator Eleja Koc Maluak said the debate competition was helpful in reflecting positive and negative effects of human rights in society.
He explained that debate trains learners to develop self confidence and logical reasoning, encouraging more competitions in the state.