Interactive Dialogue on the Oral Update by OHCHR on technical assistance and capacity-building in South Sudan
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As Delivered by Patrick Elliot
Human Rights Council – 51st Session
Thank you for your presentation.
The United States supports transitional justice efforts in South Sudan. The slow progress in creating the transitional justice mechanisms agreed to in the 2018 Revitalized Agreement show that, while technical assistance is useful, political will is also needed.
The United States remains concerned about the protracted human rights crisis in South Sudan, including documented reports of human rights violations and abuses. We note reports of extrajudicial and ethnically-based killings, intentional starvation of civilians, pervasive gender-based violence, arbitrary arrests and detentions, excessive restrictions on freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and attacks on humanitarian actors.
We condemn any attacks against civilians. We call for the transitional justice mechanisms of the peace agreement to be fully established and adequately funded; the people of South Sudan to have an opportunity to participate in an inclusive constitution-drafting process and free and fair elections; and effective anti-corruption mechanisms to be implemented to prevent the ongoing looting of the country’s wealth.
How can the international community support South Sudan’s leaders to better deliver democracy, peace, justice, and opportunity for the people of South Sudan? Thank you very much.
###