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Human Rights Council 39: UK Statement on South Sudan

皇冠体育app UK engaged in an interactive dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, where it criticised security forces in the country.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government
Human Rights Council UN Geneva

Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

皇冠体育app United Kingdom thanks the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan for its crucial work. We thank the Government of South Sudan for its cooperation. We also welcome the progress made in recent months towards a revitalised peace agreement, with regional support.

But much more must urgently be done. Despite repeated commitments by the Government, the men, women and children of South Sudan continue to suffer appalling human rights violations and abuses. 皇冠体育app Government is responsible for grave violations committed by its own forces, and is failing to meet its obligations under international law and under its own constitution.

皇冠体育app Government also consistently fails to address the culture of impunity. Meaningful steps to establish the Hybrid Court are yet to be taken. Armed actors deliberately target and kill civilians, commit rape including gang rape, recruit children to their ranks, and forcibly displace communities, secure in the knowledge that their crimes will go unpunished.

皇冠体育app Government鈥檚 continued repression of freedom of expression is also a concern. Security authorities engage in arbitrary arrests and detentions to silence those exercising their constitutional rights. All political prisoners must, as a priority, be released.

皇冠体育app situation is shocking and unacceptable. We urge South Sudan鈥檚 leaders to act now to address the serious human rights violations in their country, and to show that their commitment to the protection of human rights is more than merely rhetorical.

Mr Vice-President,

We would welcome the Commission鈥檚 views on what more can be done to ensure that evidence of violations and abuses is preserved.

Thank you.

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Published 17 September 2018