Amnesty International is concerned about the human rights and humanitarian situation in South Sudan. Since the conflict broke out on 15 December 2013, thousands of civilians have been killed. Violence against civilians has included targeted killings, sexual violence, indiscriminate use of heavy weaponry in civilian areas, destruction of homes and civilian property, and attacks on churches and hospitals sheltering civilians. Several major towns have been largely destroyed and abandoned and whole villages have been razed. Around 900,000 people have fled their homes, some to neighbouring countries, others to increasingly over-crowded United Nations bases or into open, rural areas where they lack reliable access to food, water and shelter.
The grave humanitarian and human rights situation demands a robust response from the Human Rights Council (HRC). To this end, Amnesty International urges that the HRC addresses the following in any response that it makes to the situation.
Call on all parties to the conflict to fully support and cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry of the African Union.
Call on regular and public reporting on the human rights situation in the country, including from the human rights section of the UNMISS.
Schedule an interactive dialogue on South Sudan during the 26th session of the HRC (June 2014).
Amnesty International expects that such measures would provide an informed background for the adoption of a resolution that effectively addresses the protection of the civilian population and the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, during the 26th session of the HRC