The United States ambassador to South Sudan has called for urgent end to human rights violations in the country.
“The United States is gravely concerned by credible reports of continued human rights violations and the impunity enjoyed by those who perpetrating such acts,” said Amb Michael J. Adler in a statement issued on Human Rights Day.
Since the conflict erupted between government and opposition forces in December 2013, UN agencies and humanitarian groups say human rights situation has worsened.
They say hundreds of thousands of people have fled to the neighboring countries, mostly Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Reports show that all parties to the conflict perpetrated serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including the indiscriminate and targeted killing of civilians, the recruitment and use of children, acts of sexual violence and destruction of property.
Impunity for human rights violations remained the norm and the government failed to establish the Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS), reported Amnesty International.
In addition, security forces have continued to use unlawful surveillance to target government critics, some of whom have been arbitrarily detained or disappeared.
On Tuesday, UNOCHA reported that an ongoing fighting in Upper Nile State had displaced nearly 10,000 civilians in Fashoda and Manyo counties.
“It is a clear that political actors in Juba bear responsibility for much of the violence in Upper Nike State and must act to end it,” the diplomat stated.
Amb Adler also urged the government to allow citizens to speak out against human rights abuses, saying:
“Those who work to advance human rights in South Sudan are helping to build a better future for the South Sudanese people. They do so with our support and respect.”
Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The theme of the campaign will be “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.” On December 10, 2023, the world will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.