CIVICUS, together with Amnesty International, AfricanDefenders, DefendDefenders, Human Rights Watch, and other civil society organisations, called on the UN Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS) and strengthen international scrutiny of the country’s human rights situation.
The letter stresses that South Sudan continues to face pervasive violations, including killings, abductions, conflict-related sexual violence, arbitrary detention, forced displacement, and impunity for past and ongoing crimes. Civic space remains severely restricted, and transitional justice mechanisms, including the Hybrid Court for South Sudan, are yet to be fully operationalised.
In light of the risk factors for further violations and atrocity crimes, the letter urges the Council to:
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Extend the CHRSS mandate in full;
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Request comprehensive reports and interactive updates from the CHRSS at future sessions;
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Ensure that all risk factors for atrocity crimes are monitored and shared with relevant UN and African Union bodies; and
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Signal readiness to respond to any further deterioration in South Sudan’s human rights situation.
The joint letter emphasises that sustained international monitoring and support for accountability mechanisms remain essential to prevent further abuses and ensure justice for victims and survivors.
