New York, US (PANA) – The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed grave concern over mounting evidence of gross human rights abuses in the strife-torn country, including extra-judicial killings of civilians and captured soldiers, massive displacements and arbitrary detentions, often on ethnic grounds.
PANA in New York quoted UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of UNMISS, Ms. Hilde Johnson, as saying “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the atrocities committed against innocent civilians of different communities by elements from both sides during the crisis.”
She stated: “There is no excuse for these terrible acts of violence. All perpetrators must be held accountable.”
UNMISS in a statement cited the discovery of large numbers of bodies in Juba, the capital, and the Upper Nile and Jonglei state capitals of Malakal and Bor.
It noted that it observed evidence of the apparent targeting of South Sudanese citizens on ethnic grounds, warning that “this can lead to a perpetual cycle of violence that can destroy the fabric of the new nation”.
The Mission also said it had on several times called for an end to the serious human rights violations.
“However, available evidence indicates that atrocities are continuing to occur in various parts of South Sudan. Many of these violations appear to be ethnically targeted and most of the brutal atrocities are reported to have been carried out by people wearing uniforms,” it stated.
It also said the Mission had been collecting information every day since the crisis began and pledged to continue “this priority task of investigating all reports of serious human rights violations and collecting evidence and eyewitness testimony in order to document such allegations”.
The Mission reminded all parties of their obligation to protect civilians and act in accordance with human rights and humanitarian law, while calling on key leaders to send strong public messages to their respective constituencies, insisting that the violence must stop and that anyone disobeying these orders will be punished severely.
In a related development, the UN envoy in South Sudan also welcomed the decision of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council to establish a commission to investigate human rights violations and other abuses and recommend ways and means to ensure accountability, reconciliation and healing among all communities.
Ms. Johnson said: “The UN stands together with all the people of South Sudan and demands that all parties halt the violence with immediate effect.”
She further called on all sides to open talks for a peaceful resolution of their differences, saying that “the leaders of all sides have a historic responsibility to the future and people of this young country.”
Photo: Wired
