UN to release report on rights violations in S. Sudan: official
January 16, 2014 (JUBA) – The United Nations will, in the next few weeks, unveil its report on human rights violations during South Sudan’s violent conflict, an official said.
He, however, said those found to have committed human rights violations during the raging conflict between rebels and pro-government troops would be held accountable.
Simonovic is currently in South Sudan on a four-day visit to assess the human rights situation as well as ascertain the impact of the conflict on the country.
He also visited Bentiu, the Unity state capital, where he reportedly witnessed people suffering and those whose right were abused.
“When there is change of control over Bentiu, each time the group that was taking control was involved in human rights violations, including killings of civilians,” the official stressed.
”When we were driving in the streets … we could see about 15 to 20 decomposing bodies just by the street, some of them being obviously civilians … tied before being killed”, he added.
The official, who also met senior government officials, diplomats and civil society activists during this visit, urged all the parties in the current conflict to cease hostilities and embrace dialogue.
UN IMPROVES SECURITY
In related development, the UN mission said it had embarked on a number of steps to improve security at its ‘protection of civilian sites’ in UN bases across the country.
“The objective is to ensure the safety for the around 65,000 displaced persons and the surrounding communities, and maintain the civilian nature of the sites,” the mission said in a statement.
An array of security measures, it added, had been put in place, with its main bases in Bor, Bentiu and Malakal reportedly searched for weapons by UN Police supported its military forces.
(ST).