Statement at the 49th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Delivered by: Sibahle Zuma
Thank you Mr. President,
CIVICUS and its partners in South Sudan thank the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan for their crucial contributions to the protection and promotion of human rights in the country.
Its mandate remains crucial; there is no improvement in the human rights situation in the country as authorities continue, with impunity, repressions against peaceful protesters, harassment of civil society actors, and extrajudicial executions. Social and economic rights are dire and embezzlement of public funds fuels violations of these rights. Impunity and high levels of violence persist, including a five month-long attack by armed groups against civilians in Western Equatoria that killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands. Such violence continues to affect innocent civilians, threatens the country’s stability, and endangers prospects for lasting peace.
Civic space is closed; authorities continue to harass, detain, and clamp down on journalists, human rights defenders, activists, and persons perceived to oppose the government. This materialises as, among others, censoring media; suspension and closure of news outlets; seizure of newspapers; blocking access to information; revocation, or denial of accreditation of foreign correspondents; arbitrary arrests; and prolonged, detention of persons allegedly responsible for critical posts on social media.
The Government has committed to the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement. However, key elements of the agreement, including relating transitional justice, remain unimplemented.
In this climate, it is vital that the Council renews the mandate of the Commission. We call on the Council to do so, while asking the Commission what member states must do to ensure its recommendations are implemented by South Sudan.
Thank you.
Civic space in South Sudan is rated as closed by the CIVICUS Monitor
