South Sudan’s human rights situation ‘remains incredibly grave’ – British diplomat

JUBA – The United Kingdom’s Global Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French, has said that despite continued government cooperation with human rights workers in South Sudan, the situation remains fragile and needs more efforts for the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“We welcome that there has been some progress on improving human rights in South Sudan; that the Government is continuing to cooperate with the Commission; and that effort is being made to advance the 2018 Revitalized Agreement, though we are still very far from full implementation,” French said during an interactive dialogue with the Commission on South Sudan conducted in Geneva on Friday.

“However, it is clear from the Commission’s report, and from other relevant reports, including by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, that the human rights situation in South Sudan remains incredibly grave,” she said.

The British rights diplomat further said “Evidence continues to surface of human rights violations and abuses being committed regularly, and with impunity, by all actors across the country, including, as we have just heard, against women and girls.”

“We are also deeply concerned about the continued restrictions to civic space by the Government. This is unacceptable, and particularly worrying with a view to South Sudan’s national elections,” she added, pointing out that it was “clear that the Commission must continue its important work. The Council should agree to extend its mandate this session.”