The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Edited News , Press Conferences | UNHCR
HRC - Press Conference: UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan 07 March 2023
Impunity as main driver of human rights and humanitarian crises in South Sudan is key finding of latest report of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
More gross human rights violations throughout the country, including widespread and horrific attacks against civilians and State-sponsored extrajudicial killings have been documented by the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan in its latest report presented on Tuesday to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Violence against civilians persists which is fueled by pervasive impunity, which is one of the report’s key findings.
“We have found that prevailing impunity is a major driver of this crisis, and that this crisis in turn caused immense suffering,” said Andrew Clapham, Expert Members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, speaking to the media at the UN in Geneva.
Addressing impunity in South Sudan is critical for stability and a peaceful future, according to the members of the Commission. Senior public officials and military officers should be held accountable for serious crimes.
“The report covers State sponsored extrajudicial killings; we have described multiple situations where State actors are the primary perpetrators of serious crimes under South Sudan’s laws as well as under international law,” said Professor Clapham. “Members of these armed non state groups are also identified as the perpetrators of violent crimes carried out in various areas of conflict.”
Based on investigations undertaken in South Sudan and the neighbouring region throughout 2022 the report identifies “widespread attacks carried out against civilians, systematic sexual violence against women and girls and it also details the ongoing presence of children in fighting forces both on the government side and amongst armed opposition groups,” said Mr. Clapham. He added that the report also “documents how Government officials directed militia to carry out widespread killings, systematic rape, and forced displacement of civilians in Leer county“.
Although the Government has announced special investigation committees, so the UN Commissioner Clapham. Only one such body appears to have carried out inquiries and no reports have been published.
Barney Afako, Expert Member of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan , said that “we urge the country’s political leaders to shift away from prioritizing their own political and economic ends and instead to address and prioritize the needs and aspirations of South Sudan’s people”.
In 2021 the Government of South Sudan agreed to form a hybrid court to deal with past abuses, accountability and reconciliation to bring justice and healing to all South Sudanese. Once established, the court could be efficient in fighting impunity, said Mr. Clapham.
“It is foreseen that the Hybrid court would have the possibility to prosecute people for Command responsibility,” said Mr. Clapham. “So that’s an important concept because it means that a Commander who has failed to prosecute those under his or her command for war crimes or other crimes that can be prosecuted in the court, could be prosecuted themselves for their omission for failing to act”.
The Commissioners told the Council that South Sudan can be different, and that the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement remains the main pathway to address the conflict and lead the country to a new, more stable future.
According to Mr. Afako, “the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement remains an important framework to address the conflict, to address questions of repression, and the corruption that cause immense suffering and undermine the prospects of peace. He added that “the agreement also charts a pathway for South Sudanese to make a permanent constitution. This is something they have not done since Independence in 2011.“
-ends-
STORY: UN Commission on Human Rights South Sudan – Report launch
TRT: 2 min 46s
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 7 March 2023 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
SHOTLIST
- Wide shot, UN Geneva flag alley.
- Wide shot, press room with panel of speakers
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - Andrew Clapham, Expert Members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: “We have found that prevailing impunity is a major driver of this crisis, and that this crisis in turn caused immense suffering.”
- Medium shot, panel with speakers and journalist
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - Andrew Clapham, Expert Members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: “The report also covers State sponsored extrajudicial killings, we have described multiple situations where State actors are the primary perpetrators of serious crimes under South Sudan’s laws as well as under International law. Members of these armed non state groups are also identified as the perpetrators of violent crimes carried out in various areas of conflict.”
- Medium shot, speakers at podium
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - Andrew Clapham, Expert Members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: “We presented our report which identifies widespread attacks carried out against civilians, systematic sexual violence against women and girls and it also details the ongoing presence of children in fighting forces both on the government side and amongst armed opposition groups.”
- Wide shot, podium with speakers and screens
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - Andrew Clapham,Expert Members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: “Our reports document how Government officials directed militia to carry out widespread killings, systematic rape, and forced displacement of civilians in Leer county. “
- Medium shot, speakers at podium with photographer
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - Barney Afako, Expert Members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: “We urge the country’s political leaders to shift away from prioritizing their own political and economic ends and instead to address and prioritize the needs and aspirations of South Sudan’s people.”
- Wide shot, press briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) -Andrew Clapham, Expert Members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: “It is foreseen that the Hybrid court would have the possibility to prosecute people for Command responsibility. So that’s an important concept because it means that a Commander who has failed to prosecute those under his or her command for war crimes or other crimes that can be prosecuted in the court, could be prosecuted themselves for their omission for failing to act.”
- Medium shot, speakers on the podium
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - Barney Afako, Expert Members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: “That the 2018 revitalized Peace Agreement remains an important framework to address the conflict, to address questions of repression, and the corruption that cause immense suffering and undermine the prospects of peace. The agreement also charts a pathway for South Sudanese to make a permanent constitution. This is something they have not done since Independence in 2011.“
- Close up screen with Professor Clapham while seeing him also on the podium
- Medium shot, photographer
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | UNIFIL , UNFPA , IOM , UNHCR
As the UN Secretary-General touched down in Beirut on Friday in solidarity with the people of Lebanon, UN agencies highlighted the dangers for civilians and particularly pregnant women and migrant workers, amid ongoing airstrikes and rocket fire between Hezbollah fighters and Israel.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | HRC , IOM , UNFPA , UNHCR , UNIFIL
Rolando Gómez, Chief of the Press and External Relations at the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Population Fund, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and the Human Rights Council.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OHCHR
"Counter-terrorism abuses challenging the international order" (definition of terrorism, use of force under the pretext of counter-terrorism, narco-terrorism)
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | HRC
Russia’s deportations of Ukrainian children amount to crimes against humanity: independent UN rights probe
Scores of Ukrainian children are still missing after being deported far and wide across Russia and occupied territories while their families continue to search for them, human rights investigators said on Thursday.
2
1
2
Edited News , Press Conferences | OCHA
The UN’s emergency relief chief on Wednesday condemned the “$1 billion-a-day” cost of the war roiling the Middle East, at a time of severe cuts to the global body’s humanitarian work in emergencies and “soaring” needs.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | HRC
Press conference with the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua following the release of their report to the 61st session of the Human Rights Council.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , WHO , UNHCR , UNICEF , WFP
Middle East war: UN warns of ‘toxic rain’ danger from oil depot strikes as mass displacement, aid supply shocks spread
Toxic “black rain” linked to strikes on oil depots, mass displacement and continuing disruption to humanitarian supply chains are upending lives across the Middle East and beyond after 10 days of war in the region, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | UNRISD , UNECE , UNHCR , WHO , OHCHR , UNDP , WFP
Rolando Gómez, Chief of the Press and External Relations at the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Refugee Agency, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and the United Nations Development Programme.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | IPU
IPU report discusses women in parliament, featuring speakers Martin Chungong and Mariana Mutzenberg.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Friday made the following remarks on Israel’s military ground incursions and displacement orders in Lebanon.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , IOM , WHO
The escalating war in the Middle East has heightened growing concerns about further civilian suffering and displacement in the region and far beyond, UN agencies said on Friday.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | IOM , OHCHR , UNHCR , WHO
Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Refugee Agency, the World Health Organization, the International Organization for Migration, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.