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Interactive Dialogue on the oral update by OHCHR on technical assistance and capacity building for South Sudan

04.10.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

United Nations Human Rights Council

57^th Session

Interactive Dialogue on the oral update by OHCHR on technical assistance and capacity building for South Sudan

4 October 2024

EU Statement

Mr President,

We thank the High-Commissioner for his update and welcome the Office's continued attention to South Sudan.

We are disappointed by the decision taken by the transitional government of South Sudan to delay the elections and extend the transitional period. This decision reflects the failure of the transitional government to set up the institutions needed to provide the people of South Sudan with a minimum of security, democratic governance and sustainable development.

Instead, we continue to see the same rampant impunity and absence of a justice system that is able to protect from widespread sexual and gender-based violence, including rape, and sexual slavery. In March, the Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan described horrendous cases of killings, attacks on civilians and abductions. At the same time, the humanitarian situation is worsening, exacerbated by climate-related droughts and floods and almost 800.000 arrivals from war-torn Sudan.

In particular, we join the deep concern articulated by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights over the recently amended National Security Service Act. As the Commission has stated, this legislation seriously endangers the protection of human rights; and in our view it risks to even further limit political and civic space in South Sudan. Therefore, we call on the transitional government to take the necessary measures to ensure that the South Sudanese people can participate freely in political and civic life.

Mr High Commissioner,

How can we make sure the large conflicts of our time do not let South Sudan slip into oblivion?

Thank you.