UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan

Website

UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan Official page of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan

“When violations go unpunished and public resources are diverted without consequence, impunity becomes entrenched, and t...
16/09/2026

“When violations go unpunished and public resources are diverted without consequence, impunity becomes entrenched, and that breeds violence.” — Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández

For a decade, the Commission has documented serious violations in and repeatedly identified impunity as a central driver of continuing violence and human rights violations.

The cycle cannot be broken without:
🔹 Credible accountability for serious violations
🔹 Functioning and independent justice institutions
🔹 Transparent and accountable management of public resources
🔹 Effective investigation and prosecution of corruption and economic crimes

Accountability is not optional. It is essential to breaking the cycle of violence and impunity.

“South Sudanese do have a right to vote; that right must be protected.” — Commissioner Barney AfakoAs prepares for pla...
15/09/2026

“South Sudanese do have a right to vote; that right must be protected.” — Commissioner Barney Afako

As prepares for planned elections, the Commission stresses that the right to vote must be matched by the conditions necessary for a peaceful and credible process.
People must be able to participate freely, compete fairly and resolve electoral disputes through credible adjudication.

With political and civic space narrowing and key safeguards still missing, these conditions are essential to prevent elections from becoming a trigger for violence and disruption.

The patterns have changed little, while the human cost continues to grow.During the Commission’s 14th visit to , surviv...
11/09/2026

The patterns have changed little, while the human cost continues to grow.

During the Commission’s 14th visit to , survivors and communities continued to describe the devastating impact of violence, displacement and insecurity.

Families have been uprooted. Communities live in fear. Women and girls continue to face serious violations. Many people struggle to access even the most basic services.

South Sudanese people deserve better than recurring cycles of violence and uncertainty.

🔵 Violence has changed — not stopped🔵 Civilians remain exposedIn , the character and geography of violence have shifted...
11/09/2026

🔵 Violence has changed — not stopped
🔵 Civilians remain exposed

In , the character and geography of violence have shifted in 2026 — but insecurity has not receded.

Large-scale fighting in Jonglei earlier this year displaced more than 268,000 people, while more than 100,000 fled to Ethiopia. Although large-scale fighting has subsided in some areas, violence has persisted in more localised and fragmented forms across Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity and Warrap.

Civilians continue to bear the brunt through killings, displacement, attacks on civilian infrastructure and restrictions on humanitarian access.

The protection gap is stark. Recent incidents include the reported killing of around 27 civilians in Pankor, mass graves documented in Abi­emnhom, and the ambush of a UNMISS patrol in Pajut in which two peacekeepers were killed and seven injured.

As South Sudan moves towards elections, continued insecurity could disrupt voter registration, civic participation, campaigning, polling and humanitarian access.

A change in the pattern of violence must not be mistaken for peace. Civilians still need protection.

📍 Juba, South Sudan is not beyond saving — but the window to change course is narrowing.At a press conference today, Co...
10/09/2026

📍 Juba,

South Sudan is not beyond saving — but the window to change course is narrowing.

At a press conference today, Commissioners Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández outlined the Commission’s concerns following its 14th visit to South Sudan.

The Commission warned that the country’s renewed violence cannot be separated from the political crisis. Civilians continue to face killings, displacement, sexual violence and forced recruitment, while humanitarian operations are disrupted and civic and political space continues to shrink.

With elections planned for December, the Commission stressed that the people of South Sudan have a right to vote — but they must be able to do so freely, safely and without fear. This requires a genuine cessation of hostilities, adequate civic and political space, credible electoral institutions, peaceful mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes, meaningful participation and measures to prevent hate speech and incitement.

The Commissioners also highlighted the urgent need to break the cycle of violence, corruption and impunity through stronger institutions, an independent judiciary, operational transitional justice mechanisms and accountability for serious violations.

South Sudan does not lack agreements, institutions or roadmaps. What is needed now is political will to implement them and accountability for those who undermine them.

The choice remains with South Sudan’s leaders — and the time to make it is now.

📍 Juba, As violence continues to threaten civilians, the protection of people must remain a priority.The Commissioners ...
09/09/2026

📍 Juba,

As violence continues to threaten civilians, the protection of people must remain a priority.

The Commissioners met with the SRSG of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to discuss the current situation in South Sudan and the trajectory of violence, including the growing risks to civilians.

The discussion underscored the critical role of UNMISS in supporting peace and protecting civilians at a time of heightened political and security uncertainty.

Continued international support for UNMISS and its civilian protection mandate is critical to safeguarding civilians and preventing further escalation of violence.

📍 Juba, Justice cannot be strong if the system remains weak.The Commissioners met with Chief Justice Dr Benjamin Baak D...
09/09/2026

📍 Juba,

Justice cannot be strong if the system remains weak.

The Commissioners met with Chief Justice Dr Benjamin Baak Deng to discuss the state of the justice system in South Sudan, including judicial capacity, access to justice and preparations for the upcoming elections.

The discussion also covered efforts to address case backlogs, expand access to justice through mobile courts, strengthen the judiciary across the states, and prepare courts to handle electoral disputes.

The Chief Justice also briefed the Commissioners on the challenges facing the Judiciary, including shortages of personnel, infrastructure and logistics.

As South Sudan approaches a critical electoral period, a strong, independent and accessible judiciary will be essential to protecting rights, resolving electoral disputes and strengthening public confidence in the process.

📍 Juba, An inclusive transition needs an empowered civil society.Civil society organisations play a critical role in en...
09/09/2026

📍 Juba,

An inclusive transition needs an empowered civil society.
Civil society organisations play a critical role in ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard, particularly at a time when South Sudan is navigating a fragile political transition and preparing for elections.

In discussions with CSOs, the Commission heard about the key challenges they face and explored ways to strengthen their participation in the political and electoral processes.

Strengthening civic participation is essential to ensuring that communities can contribute to decisions that will shape the country’s future.

South Sudan’s transition must be inclusive — and civil society must have a meaningful voice in it.

📍 Juba, The Commissioners met yesterday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to discuss t...
09/09/2026

📍 Juba,

The Commissioners met yesterday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to discuss the country’s path towards the upcoming elections and the key issues that will shape their credibility and legitimacy.

The discussion focused on:

🔹 Peaceful and safe elections — ensuring the safety of citizens throughout the electoral period.
🔹 Human rights — protecting rights before, during and after the polls.
🔹 Inclusive participation — ensuring internally displaced persons and refugees have an opportunity to participate.
🔹 Transitional justice — advancing the mechanisms envisaged under the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
🔹 Credibility and legitimacy — ensuring the process is inclusive, transparent and capable of commanding public confidence.

Elections are more than a vote. For South Sudan, they must be a process grounded in peace, inclusion, human rights and public confidence.

📍 Juba, The Commissioners met with the UN Country Team to discuss the major challenges faced by the UN and humanitarian...
09/09/2026

📍 Juba,

The Commissioners met with the UN Country Team to discuss the major challenges faced by the UN and humanitarian community in South Sudan amid an increasingly uncertain political and security landscape.

The discussion provided an opportunity to hear directly about the operational and humanitarian challenges arising from the evolving situation, and their impact on efforts to support the people of South Sudan.

The Commission will continue to engage with UN and humanitarian partners as it assesses the human rights situation and the risks facing civilians across the country.

Address

Tomping
Juba

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category