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Top UN official in South Sudan Urges Accountability For Human Rights Violations

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir (R) addresses a news conference at the Presidential Palace in capital Juba December 16, 2013.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir (R) addresses a news conference at the Presidential Palace in capital Juba December 16, 2013.

May 24, 2015(Nyamilepedia) –– The United Nations Special Representative for South Sudan, Ellen Margrethe Løj, has urged accountability and justice for those responsible for gross human rights violations committed as a result of South Sudan’s continuing fighting.

The announcement came as Ms. Løj completed a visit to a protection-of-civilians (PoC) site run by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Bentiu, located in the country’s Unity state, and following a recent enlargement of the camp.

According to a joint press release issued earlier today by UNMISS and the International Organization of Migration (IOM), the PoC site’s extension work included ground works to improve drainage before the rainy season and the establishment of humanitarian services and shelter amid a growing influx of displaced persons fleeing the country’s violence.

More than 60,000 internally displaced persons have sought shelter and assistance at the UNMISS camp in Bentiu, and an additional nearly 25,000 at the UNMISS camp in Malakal, only further magnifying a dire humanitarian crisis caused by an ongoing military offensive in Unity state which has relentlessly targeted civilians and destroyed countless homes.

“UNMISS is deeply troubled by reports of grave violations and abuses of human rights perpetrated during the fighting,” Ms. Løj declared in the press release.

“We must be able to document these crimes by being given unimpeded access to areas where violence has occurred,” she continued. “I want to reiterate how important it is to hold accountable all those who committed atrocities against civilians during the fighting.”

South Sudan’s ongoing conflict began in December 2013 and has been marked by brutal violence against civilians and deepening suffering across the country. Overall, some 119,000 people are sheltered in UN compounds while the Organization estimates that the number of people in need for 2015 will include an anticipated 1.95 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and a projected 293,000 refugees.

Moreover, in recent weeks, the fighting in the country has worsened considerably.

Just last Friday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein warned that UN human rights monitors had been denied access to various sites in Unity state by members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLM/A) as they sought to verify reports of widespread killings, rapes, abductions and the burning and destruction of towns and villages throughout Unity state.

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3 comments

KOCH GATKUOTH May 24, 2015 at 11:18 pm

This should have been the right decision for the UN to dealt with those who violate human right and committed crime againts humanity. If UN is really world international body, let it dealt with Salva kiir who committed ethnic cleancing in Juba December 2013.

Reply
Abuchook May 25, 2015 at 6:39 am

Hello Readers and Reporters:Please Note that this is not a joke and stupidity but the reality… here are the consequences of war and suffering: Please read below the facts and reality event that are happening now in Upper Nile and Unity sstates. This is my eye witness account no jokes and no laughing please my heart was broken when I see these dead and wounded young Nuer people..Please read this carefully:Here is my eye witness started: While driving passed by we found 85 dead bodies 3 wounded with red thin cloth tied around their headsAmong those killed and wounded, many are as young as age 9 to 24 years old. In fact one of those wounded all legs broken was begging us for help and he said beg that in Nuer language“We are One People and that SPLA Juba should not attack Malakal to avoid those few weak remain wounded Soldiers of our Nation from being kill. Please SPLA JUBA must have mercy on it own citizens, please please please!!.” He continued crying out loud for help. He said to us he and most of his dead men are from Lou Nuer villages and areas!Later we put this young wounded man Inside MEDICAL CAR, owned by the Doctors without Borders team of doctors and nurses who are taking risk to save life. Now he is well but both his legs are cut off to save his life.

Reply
Madong Kuoth May 25, 2015 at 2:16 am

They just are saying by mouth not by putting it action how long they are about this abuse. I got sick their words. Shamefully on them.

Reply

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