STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 46th 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 Nordic-Baltic countries; Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, and Norway
Check against delivery
11 March 2021
Madame 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.
The recent formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity was a major step towards restoring peace in South Sudan. We remain, however, concerned about the slow pace in implementation and urge for accelerated efforts. We are also deeply concerned by the level of violence and the continued human rights violations and abuses, and the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence, including rape, and grave human rights violations and abuses of children.
All major armed groups are responsible, but the Government of South Sudan has the primary responsibility to protect its population.
We commend recent efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence, including the newly established Gender Based Violence Court in Juba. We also welcome the endorsement by the Council of Ministers of a roadmap for implementing Chapter 5 of the agreement, including the establishment of the Hybrid Court.
Full and rapid establishment of the transitional justice mechanisms is an important step towards ending impunity and ensuring justice for victims. We commend the African Union for its support in this regard.
We appreciate the efforts by the Government of South Sudan to cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms in the fulfilment of its mandate, and strongly urge the Government to continue its cooperation with the Commission to ensure accountability and bring perpetrators to justice.
Thank you.