Oral Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 2: Interactive Dialogue on report of Commission of Human Rights in South Sudan
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev
Madam Vice-President,
We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in South Sudan, where rising political tensions, renewed fighting and escalating communal violence continue to fuel a worsening crisis. Instability has further deepened following the government’s decision to charge the First Vice‑President with crimes against humanity, while basic civic freedoms remain severely restricted.
The right to peaceful assembly remains tightly restricted. Local authorities have continued to repress peaceful protests, with many protesters subjected to arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, and indefinite suspension from duty for civil servants. Some demonstrations were met with government-imposed social media blockades.
Journalists, media outlets and civil society actors continue to face challenges and restrictions when reporting on important national matters. Security officials have blocked private media and CSO representatives, from attending the proceedings of the trial of country’s suspended First Vice President, and have assaulted and detained those attempting to access or report on the trial.
The National Security Service continues to arbitrarily detain dozens of perceived or real government critics and independent civil society voices amid a culture of impunity within the agency. NSS agents continue to enjoy immunity from prosecution and arrests carried out by the agency are not subject to judicial oversight.
We urge this Council to renew the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan and to strengthen monitoring, reporting and protection efforts, including support for local civil society and accountability for serious violations.
Thank you!
