Human Rights Council 45th Session.
Item 4: Interactive dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (oral update)
Statement delivered by Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith, Permanent Representative of Norway on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden and Norway)
23 September 2020
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Ms. President,
I have the pleasure of delivering this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic Countries Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden and Norway.
We commend the 22 February decision of the Parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan to form the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity. We call upon all parties to cooperate fully in the implementation of the Agreement.
The report of the UN Secretary General presented to the Security Council on September 16 documents serious violations, including conflict-related sexual violence, arbitrary arrests as well as abduction and killing of civilians. The Nordic countries are deeply concerned by the localized cycles of violence and the continued human rights violations and abuses in South Sudan.
We condemn these violations and abuses. All armed groups are responsible for grave human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, but the Government of South Sudan has the primary responsibility to protect all of its population from these violations and abuses. We urge the Government to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to end impunity for these violations and abuses.
We appreciate the efforts by the Government to assist the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the special procedures of the Human Rights Council and the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan in the fulfilment of its mandate.
We strongly urge the Government to continue to work together with the Commission to ensure accountability and to bring perpetrators to justice.
How can the OHCHR better contribute to prevent future human rights violations in South-Sudan ?
Thank you.