U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of South Sudan
as delivered by Jason Mack
Geneva, Switzerland
26th Session, November 7, 2016
The United States welcomes the South Sudanese delegation to the UPR Working Group.
We remain gravely concerned about the deplorable human rights situation in South Sudan.
Since fighting began in December 2013, many serious human rights violations and abuses have been committed, including attacks against civilians, extraordinary levels of sexual and gender-based violence, and widespread unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers.
The Government continues to obstruct the delivery of humanitarian assistance, even as the humanitarian emergency continues to worsen in scale, scope and urgency. Dissent is not tolerated, freedom of expression is penalized, and there is an environment of intimidation and violence towards civil society organizations, journalists and media houses, human rights defenders, and political opposition.
We recommend that South Sudan:
- Enable the full deployment – without obstruction – of the Regional Protection Force, as authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 2304, to bring stability and help prevent further atrocities;
- Fulfill its obligation under the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan to cooperate fully in establishing the Hybrid Court.
- Establish an open, consultative process for drafting and ratifying a new constitution, under which new elections will be held at the end of the transitional period.
(end statement)