HRC 51 - EU Intervention: Enhanced ID on the oral update of OHCHR on technical assistance and capacity-building for South Sudan

Madame President,

We thank the High Commissioner for the oral update and would like to thank OHCHR for their work under very difficult circumstances.

We remain shocked and deeply concerned about the ongoing grave human rights violations in South Soudan. We have been echoing our concerns for the past decade since independence and regret the lack of progress made so far.

The excessive use of repression and force by state security forces against civilians is appalling, especially reports on widespread and systematic sexual and gender based violence. The Commission of Human Rights has published a damning report on the matter last March and followed up on those findings during a country visit at the beginning of August.

Very recently a Joint report of OHCHR and UNMISS concerning only the State of Unity has confirmed the dire situation. According to the Joint OHCHR and UNMISS report, that covers only a small period of time, between February and May 2022, 137 civilians have been killed – decapitated, burnt and drowned, 26 women and 11 children kidnapped, around 44.000 persons displaced. The report documents 131 rapes, among the victims a girl of 8 years and one of 9 years, who died during the gang rape. Two humanitarian staff were killed during attacks against humanitarian institutions.

Just last week the UN reported that another three humanitarian workers were murdered in South Sudan in September. This violence targeting aid workers has to stop.

The situations continues to require the Council’s attention and assistance. In the meantime, we once again urge the Government of South Sudan and all actors involved to act swiftly and ensure criminal accountability and work towards sustainable peace for the people, especially women and girls, of South Sudan. Support for victims and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, must also be provided. The extension of the transitional governance arrangements, postponing elections until late 2024, should be used to shape the electoral system and create a conducive environment for a peaceful and stable South Sudan. Together with the implementation of the peace agreement in its entirety, these elections are what South Sudan needs for the completion of the transition period and the establishment of lasting peace.

High Commissioner,

How can the UN mechanisms, including the Commission on Human Rights, best support South Sudan with technical assistance in the justice sector in order to establish accountability for these crimes?

Thank you.