Rights body urges South Sudan to fulfill Universal Periodic Review commitment
July 4, 2022 (LONDON) – A London-based human rights organization has appealed South Sudan to fulfill its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) commitment to develop a human rights agenda as well as action plan.
The call came from Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for East Africa, the Horn and Great Lakes region, Sarah Jackson while speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) on Monday.
She welcomed South Sudan’s support for 210 out of 246 recommendations made during its third UPR, but expressed regrets that the East African nation has not implemented its commitment from its previous review in 2016 to develop a human rights agenda and action plan.
“It is evident from this third UPR that South Sudan is still struggling to respect, protect and fulfil its human rights obligations. The authorities must urgently adopt a human rights agenda and action plan that seeks to drastically improve the human rights situation in the country,” said Jackson.
The campaign groups also welcomed South Sudan’s support for ratification of key human rights treaties, including 21 out of 25 recommendations on civic space and 42 out of 48 regarding accountability.
It urged South Sudanese authorities to implement them without delay.
“Amnesty International regrets that South Sudan rejected four recommendations from other states that urged the government to take concrete action to protect civic space. In its statement to the HRC, Amnesty International urged the government to reverse its decision, especially in light of possible forthcoming elections,” said Jackson.
On 2 February 2022, Amnesty International and partners offered the Government of South Sudan recommendations for 10 human rights priorities that, at a minimum, should feature in a human rights agenda.
These priorities include human rights issues raised during this UPR and which Amnesty International highlighted in its submissions to the Working Group, including violations of the right to life; the rights to freedom of expression, opinion, association and peaceful assembly; freedom from torture and other ill-treatment; concerns regarding arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention; the use of the death penalty; and impunity for crimes under international law.
(ST)