The report from the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan explains how the perpetrators of the most serious crimes – including widespread attacks on civilians and indiscriminate killings – go unpunished, including senior government officials and forces involved in serious crimes.
“Over the years, our findings have consistently shown that the impunity for serious crimes is a central driver of violence and misery faced by citizens in South Sudan,” said Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the independent expert group.
“So, we have taken a step Name more of the individuals who support the criminal investigation and prosecution for their role in gross human rights violations,” he added.
There is no calculation at all
South Sudan, the world’s smallest country, has been in turmoil for over a decade, although there was a 2018 Peace Agreement to end the violence.
The UN commission has been monitoring the human rights situation there since March 2016. Its latest report is based on investigations in six states, and in the neighboring region, over the past 12 months.
Members presented initial findings to the Commission last month, but the full report provides extensive information on “exemplary situations and areas of human rights violations” during this period, such as widespread attacks against civilians, including killing, rape, sexual slavery we had another form of sexual violenceas well as mass displacement.
The commission found that although the Government of South Sudan had announced special commissions of inquiry into several situations, none has led to any form of calculation. Also, Government and military personnel involved in these heinous crimes are in office.
Failure to protect citizens
“Once again, hundreds of South Sudanese shared with the Commission their experiences of being subjected to various human rights violations. Their suffering is very great. The state continue to fail in its duty to protect civilians, and to ensure accountability for violationsCommissioner Andrew Clapham said.
“We call on the authorities to properly investigate the perpetrators of serious crimes, regardless of their position or officeand to establish and strengthen judicial mechanisms for holding them accountable.”
Senior staff involved
The report identified Unity State Governor Joseph Monytuil, and Lieutenant General Thoi Chany Reat of the South Sudan People’s Liberation Army, as individuals supporting the criminal investigation in relation to the government-ordered extrajudicial killings in Mayom in August 2022.
The commissioner in Koch County, Gordon Koang, is among the people identified as being responsible for leading widespread attacks on civilians in Leer in February and April 2022.
The Commission’s findings also identified other individuals recommending further investigation or investigation in relation to human rights violations in Warrap State, Upper Nile State, northern parts of Jonglei State, and Equatoria states.
Recommit to peace agreement
Commissioner Barney Afako said that “breaking the grip of indifference” can only be achieved if the authorities renew and adhere to the values and promises in the peace agreement.
“Political leaders are accountable to the people of South Sudan, so they must ensure that the public space for discussion in the defense of the country’s primary electoral processes and the rule of law is to be credible and a positive influence,” he said.
The report also examines justice systems and initiatives in South Sudan, including the recent use of military courts and ad hoc interrogations.
It also addresses serious human rights issues, including the use of children in armed forces and in armed groups, gender-related violence, and the apparent loss of civil space in the country.
Independent experts
The Commission is an independent body and receives its mandate from the UN Human Rights Council, which is based in Geneva.
The three Commissioners work independently and are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.
