The Human Rights Watch has lamented the slow progress in addressing issues pertaining to human rights violations in the country.

The body said in a statement released yesterday that South Sudan’s authorities had done little to protect fundamental rights despite the growing outcry from some quarters in the international community.

While referring to its previous report, where it called for the prosecution of those who were responsible for extrajudicial killings in Warrap State in July 2021, the human rights defender said lack of action only empowers the oppressors.

It noted: ‘‘Lack of justice for serious crimes emboldens perpetrators and fuels further abuses like those in Warrap state. It is not enough for this council to provide technical assistance and support to South Sudan; the work of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan remains vital to document these abuses, collect evidence to support much needed criminal justice in the future, and give hope to victims that their right to redress is not forsaken by the international community’’.

It went on to lament that ‘‘South Sudan’s authorities do not appear prepared to live up to their commitments under the revitalized peace accord to ensure perpetrators are held to criminal account for war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity committed during the country’s conflict since 2013’’.

The body joins a long chain of organizations such as the United Nations that have called on the government to cushion the fundamental rights, especially the freedom of expression.

Praises

Earlier this month, the United Kingdom through Troik praised the government’s commitment to the implementation of the peace agreement but also underpinned the need to respect human rights which it said was long overdue.

“The United Kingdom has welcomed the government of South Sudan’s commitment to addressing human rights concerns and recognized progress made in the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement. However, three years since the agreement was signed, the real benefits are yet to be felt by ordinary South Sudanese,” the statement read partly.

 “The severe suffering caused by ongoing violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, displacement, and arbitrary detentions, is unacceptable,” the UN Human Rights Council also noted.

“Evidence of continued human rights violations and abuses is clear. As a Council, the ongoing human rights situation in South Sudan should demand our full attention,” it added.

However, the council added that it would continue to support the peace process to ensure that the country realizes its dreams.

 “We remain of the view that robust monitoring, particularly through the continuation of the Commission of Human Rights in South Sudan is essential to fully understand and address the human rights situation. We urge members to consider this when the issue returns to the Council’s agenda on 2022.”