The 48th Session of the UN Human Rights Council 

13 September – 8 October 2021

 Interactive Dialogue with the Commission on Human rights in South Sudan on an oral update, including on progress made on the provisions of the resolution, during an Enhanced Interactive Dialogue, with the participation of representatives of the African Union (resolution 46/23) - 23 September 2021
 
 
Joint Statement by: Meezan Center for Human Rights and GICJ
 
Presented by: Tristan Arlaud
 


 

Thank you. We welcome the High Commissioner’s oral update on the human rights situation in South Sudan and the country’s ratification of the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict back in 2018. We are grateful for the government’s recent improvement in the demobilization of children from armed forces. However, we remain concerned about the alarming number of children still trapped in the various conflicts and their abduction committed by the NAS as means of warfare. We urge South Sudan and international human rights actors to conduct a thorough investigation during clashes to ensure that no children are either killed or mistreated.

Furthermore, Meezan Center for Human Rights and Geneva International Center for Justice cannot stress enough the urgency for the international community to cooperate and communicate to find rapid and plausible solutions to the growing famine across the country. With about 1.4 million children suffering from acute malnutrition and nearly 7 million individuals in total struggling to have enough food daily.

Additionally, we are deeply concern about the remaining number of attacks on aid and humanitarian workers. Since last January, at least seven aid workers have been killed and at least 120 since the civil war broke in 2013. Essential services such as health and education are dependent on humanitarian actors. South Sudan needs to comply with its international obligations under human rights and humanitarian law, as highlighted in the Council’s resolution of March 2021.