UN rights official criticizes extrajudicial killings in South Sudan

February 22, 2025 (JUBA) – A member of the United Nations Commission for Human Rights in South Sudan has strongly criticized the spate of extrajudicial killings executed under the Green Book legislation in Warrap and Lakes states.

Speaking to reporters in Juba on Thursday, Carlos Castresana Fernández said such forms of executions undermine legal mechanisms for tackling violence.

“These gross human rights violations have been entrenched through measures, which are being used to target specific communities, fuel intra-communal violence, and further weaken the rule of law institutions,” he said.

Castresana described the executions as illegal since officials and soldiers carrying out the executions on behalf of the government cannot be held accountable.

“Justice has been moved from the hands of judges into the hands of unaccountable officials and soldiers carrying out illegal executions,” he observed.

The UN Commissioner said South Sudan government and courts are responsible for ensuring that the illegal legislation and all unlawful measures cease to operate.

“The government must strengthen the justice system so that violence among communities face the rule of law, including measure like mobile courts,” he said.

Castresana, however, said a functional justice system would help tackle violence.

The Commission on Human Rights is an independent body, mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate and report on the human rights situation in South Sudan. Its three expert Commissioners are supported by a Secretariat based in Juba, South Sudan.

(ST)