The United Nations has condemned widespread arbitrary arrests in South Sudan, revealing that over 1,140 civilians were detained unlawfully between January 2023 and May 2024, including women and children. UN officials have urged the government to release these individuals and improve human rights practices amidst ongoing political instability and unimplemented peace agreements.
The United Nations has expressed grave concern regarding extensive human rights violations occurring in South Sudan, specifically pointing to the arbitrary arrests and detentions of numerous civilians, including women and children. A recent joint report released by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) indicated that between January 2023 and May 2024, over 1,140 individuals had been unlawfully detained, among them 87 children.
Detained individuals included women and girls who resisted arranged marriages, sought divorces, or faced adultery accusations. Moreover, opposition party members and individuals associated with them were frequently targeted. The report highlights that many detentions were made for actions that should not be considered criminal offenses. While abuses were attributed to both state security forces and armed groups, the government was primarily responsible for the majority of arrests.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, urged the South Sudanese authorities to unconditionally release all individuals unlawfully detained and to ensure that those responsible for these actions are held accountable. Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, the world’s youngest nation has endured a myriad of challenges, including ethnic violence, political instability, economic hardship, and natural disasters.
The current political landscape in South Sudan remains turbulent, with numerous critical provisions of a peace agreement signed in 2018 yet to be fulfilled. These include the establishment of a permanent constitution and the unification of military forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar. Recently, the transitional government has opted to extend the deadline for implementing the peace deal and has postponed elections until December 2026, thus exacerbating the political uncertainty within the country.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, marking the world’s youngest nation’s entry into a complex landscape marked by various challenges. Since its establishment, South Sudan has grappled with a range of profound issues including ethnic violence, political power struggles, economic instability, and frequent natural disasters. The 2018 peace agreement aimed at reconciliation and stability has seen numerous delays and incomplete provisions, creating a persistent climate of uncertainty and unrest that complicates efforts for meaningful governance and societal peace. The UN’s concerns about arbitrary detentions underscore the ongoing human rights grievances amidst this complicated backdrop.
In summary, the UN’s report highlights alarming patterns of arbitrary arrests in South Sudan, revealing a systemic issue of human rights violations that predominantly affects women, children, and political dissidents. The call for accountability and the release of unlawfully detained individuals by UN officials underscores the urgency for the South Sudanese authorities to address these egregious violations. Stability and implementation of the peace agreement are vital for reducing political uncertainty and promoting respect for human rights in the region.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
