UN human rights chief warns escalated violence in South Sudan

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Friday warned that the escalation of fighting in recent weeks between government and opposition forces in South Sudan has resulted in alarming violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law and taken a terrible toll on civilians.

"For more than 17 months, women, men and children have been senselessly suffering through an entirely man-made catastrophe, living in the most inhumane conditions. More than 2 million people have been robbed of their homes, their livelihoods, their security, having lost family members to death and forced recruitment," the high commissioner said in a statement.

According to the High Commissioner's office, there have been alarming reports of gross violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law since the escalation of fighting on April 29, including killings, rapes, abduction and the burning and destruction of towns and villages in various counties.

The high commissioner said UN human rights monitors have been denied access to various sites, where they have sought to verify allegations of human rights violations and abuses. He urged the authorities to allow such access.

The high commissioner warned the parties to the conflict that they must take all feasible measures to prevent harm to civilian lives and infrastructure, including the personnel and premises of the United Nations and humanitarian agencies. Endit