September 11th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – The United Nations Human Rights Chief has said that the general amnesty declared by President Salva Kiir Mayardiit in early August will protect crime perpetrators committed during the South Sudan conflict.
President Salva Kiir Mayardiit in August announced a general amnesty for rebel leaders including First Vice President Designate Dr. Riek Machar who is leading the SPLM-IO.
While addressing the 39th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Monday, Michelle Bachette, head of the UN Human Rights Council, said the Council is concerned that the general amnesty unexpectedly announced by President Salva Kiir on August 6th will protect the crime perpetrators from justice.
“We are deeply concerned by the general amnesty announced by President Kiir in Khartoum, which may result in protecting from justice a large number of perpetrators of serious human rights violations and abuses from both the government forces and armed groups” she said.
She however said the preliminary peace deal which was signed last month by President Kiir and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar raises hope for a peaceful ending of the ongoing brutal civil war in the world’s youngest country.
“In South Sudan, the agreement signed by the warring parties last month has raised hopes for a peaceful and sustainable solution to the conflict,” she said.
She urged the South Sudan’s warring parties to accept their part of responsibility for the violations inflicted during the conflict on the South Sudan citizens.
“We urge the parties to acknowledge their part of responsibility for the violations suffered by so many across the country, by helping to establish and operationalize the long-awaited Hybrid Court notably, by signing its statute,” she added.
