The 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

28th February to 1st April 2022

Item 3: ID with Commission on South Sudan

18 March 2022

Statement by  Meezaan Center for Human Rights

Delivered by Jamel Nampijja 

Thank you Mr President, 

We thank the Special Rapporteur for his report and we welcome all efforts made to remedy the plight of people in South Sudan. 

In 2021, intercommunal violence and community-based militias accounted for more than 80% of civilian victims in South Sudan. The conflict between government forces, community militias and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army caused the displacement of approximately 80,000 civilians in the western Equatoria region of Tambura. 

Central Equatoria also suffered with hundreds of cases of arbitrary killings, arrests, detentions, torture, conscription, and sexual violence against women and girls.

Yet, only a few of these cases have been tried in courts; and impunity remains eminent.  

Although on the 30th of January 2021, the government of South Sudan approved the establishment of the Hybrid Court for reconciliation, transitional justice and accountability for the alleged war crimes - as required by the 2018 peace agreement with the African Union. 

Still, no concrete steps have been taken by the government to operationalize the Hybrid court. 

Meezaan and Geneva International Centre for Justice remain deeply concerned with the intercommunal tensions and violations by armed groups and security forces that continues to threaten peace and stability in South Sudan. We urge the parties involved in the peace treaty to take all necessary measures to establish the Hybrid court to finally achieve justice for all victims of grave human rights violations.

Thank you.