Interactive Dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan

Interactive Dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan

Statement of Ireland

14 March 2017

Ireland aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and adds the following:

Mr. President,

Ireland thanks the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan for its work and recent report.

Ireland is gravely concerned about the continuing violence in South Sudan and the increase in human rights violations and abuses recorded in the Commission’s report. Ireland is appalled by reports that a process of ethnic cleansing is underway in the country, and that killings, abductions, rape and sexual violence, the destruction of villages and looting, and the targeting of civilians are widespread features of the current conflict.    

Ireland condemns, in the strongest way possible, all violations of human rights in South Sudan, and calls on all parties to the conflict to put an immediate end to the violence.

In light of the declaration of famine in February 2017 and the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation in South Sudan, Ireland notes that the vast majority of humanitarian assistance is being delivered by non-governmental organisations. In this respect, we reiterate our previous concerns that the provisions of the Non-Governmental Organisations Act and Relief and Rehabilitation Commission Act, adopted last year, place undue restrictions on the operational capacity of civil society. The delivery of assistance to civilian populations without access to adequate food or health care is vital and the humanitarian access incidents outlined in the report are of serious concern.

Ireland recalls the need for independent and impartial investigation into the widespread human rights violations in South Sudan. Ireland further calls on the Government of South Sudan to renew its commitment to the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, and for the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan as soon as possible.

We would be particularly interested for the Commission to elaborate on suggested substantive and procedural linkages between transitional justice institutions and the hybrid court.

Thank you.