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Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan

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The Human Rights Council established the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan for a one-year term on 23 March 2016 by resolution 31/20, mandating it to determine and report the facts and circumstances of, collect and preserve evidence of, and clarify responsibility for alleged gross violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes, including sexual and gender-based violence and ethnic violence, with a view to ending impunity and providing accountability. 

The Council subsequently extended its mandate for an additional years in 2017 (resolution 34/25), in 2018 (resolution 37/31) in 2019 (resolution 40/19), in 2020 (resolution 43/27), in 2021 (resolution 46/23), in 2022 (resolution 49/2), and in 2023 (resolution 52/1). Following the fifty-fifth-session in 2024, the Council extended the Commission's mandate for another year through resolution 55/1. The Commission was requested to present a comprehensive written report on the situation of human rights in South Sudan to the Human Rights Council at its fifty-eighth session, to be followed by an enhanced interactive dialogue; The Council also requested the Commission to present its latest report, in combination with an oral update on its work, to the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session, followed by an interactive dialogue. 

Currently the members of the Commission are Yasmin Sooka (Chairperson, South Africa), Barney Afako (Uganda) and Carlos Castresana Fernández (Spain).

Press Releases

2024

South Sudan: President should return proposed security law amendments to legislators for revision, UN Commission says
10 July 2024
English

UN report highlights risk of more and gross human rights violations if South Sudan’s conflict drivers remain unaddressed
1 March 2024
English

Human Rights must guide the completion of South Sudan’s transition – UN experts
19 February 2024
English

UN Human Rights experts to make 12th visit to South Sudan
08 February 2024
English

2023

South Sudan: UN Inquiry’s report finds that entrenched repression imperils prospects for peace, human rights and credible elections
05 October 2023
English

Human Rights Council President appoints Carlos Castresana Fernández to serve as member of South Sudan Commission
18 July 2023
English

South Sudan: UN Inquiry decries impunity for Human Rights violations, identifies individuals warranting investigation
3 April 2023
English

South Sudan’s leaders must end attacks on civilians and prioritise peaceful and just transition, say UN experts
17 February 2023
English

UN Commissioners on Human Rights return to South Sudan
13 February 2023
English

2022

UN experts call on South Sudan to investigate top government officials for their role in sexual violence
28 November 2022
English

Urgent Action Needed on Peace Agreement for South Sudan
19 October 2022
English

South Sudanese rape survivors left without help, let alone justice – UN experts
22 September 2022
English

South Sudan: UN report highlights widespread sexual violence against women and girls in conflict, fueled by systemic impunity
21 March 2022
English

2021

High-level conference held to sustain momentum for transitional justice in South Sudan
15 December 2021
English

Threats against civil society leaders violate human rights, undermine transition to peace in South Sudan - UN Experts
20 October 2021
English

South Sudanese political elites illicitly diverting millions of US dollars, undermining core human rights and stability – UN experts note
23 September 2021
English

Despite renewed political commitment, staggering levels of violence continued across South Sudan for the second successive year, UN experts note
19 February 2021
English

2020

Starvation being used as a method of warfare in South Sudan – UN panel
6 October 2020
English

Renewed violence and delayed implementation of the peace agreement severely threaten peace and stability in South Sudan, UN experts note
14 August 2020
English

A severe coronavirus outbreak across South Sudan would have disastrous consequences for millions of vulnerable civilians, UN experts note
8 April 2020
English

UN experts say pattern of years of extreme violations in South Sudan must be reversed
9 March 2020
English

CHR South Sudan: Starvation and Corruption hallmarks of conflict
20 February 2020
English

UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: As the deadline to form the Government of National Unity rapidly approaches, much still remains to be done
7 February 2020
English

UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan undertakes 8th mission
5 February 2020
English

2019

Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan appeals for international support for peace process or risk plunging the country back into full-scale conflict
16 September 2019
English

UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: Localization of conflict and unaddressed community grievances serve as barriers to sustainable peace
23 August 2019
English

UN Commission on Human Rights begin 7th field mission to South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia
19 August 2019
English

South Sudanese individuals can be prosecuted for war crimes and crimes against humanity even in other countries, say UN human rights experts
12 March 2019
English

Prosecuting sexual and gender-based crimes in South Sudan challenging but is essential for peace
5 March 2019
English

Prosecuting Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes in South Sudan: UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan working session on strategies for evidence collection, Addis Ababa – 4-5 March 2019
1 March 2019
English

Outraged by renewed fighting and continuing human rights violations in South Sudan, UN Human Rights Experts urge all parties to stop conflict, end impunity and respect provisions of the revitalized peace agreement
20 February 2019
English

2018

UN human rights experts say South Sudan leaders should seize the opportunity of the revitalized peace process to ensure accountability and help victims of the conflict rebuild their lives
14 December 2018
English

UN human rights expert group to begin 16-day visit South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda
2 December 2018
English

Commission on Human Rights Urges South Sudan to make peace and justice a reality
17 September 2018
English

Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan calls for more justice after Terrain verdict
7 September 2018
English

UN human rights expert group begin 12-day visit South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia
20 August 2018
English

Human Rights Council President appoints Barney Afako of Uganda as new member of South Sudan body
14 June 2018
English

UN Human Rights Commission collects evidence to hold more than 40 South Sudanese officials accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity
23 February 2018
English

Statements

2024

Statement by Barney Afako, Member of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, to the Human Rights Council
1 March 2024

2023

Statement by Andrew Clapham, Member of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, to the Human Rights Council
7 March 2023

2022

Statement by Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, to the Human Rights Council
18 March 2022

2021

Statement by Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to the Human Rights Council
23 September 2021

Ten years after gaining independence, civilians in South Sudan still longing for sustainable peace, national cohesion, and accountability – UN experts note
9 July 2021

Statement by Yasmin Sooka Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to the Human Rights Council
11 March 2021

Statement to the media by Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, on the release of the Reports of the Commission
19 February 2021

2020

Statement of Ms. Yasmin Sooka, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, at 45th Human Rights Council session
23 September 2020

Emerging Impacts of COVID-19 on the Human Rights Situation and Peace Process in South Sudan
23 June 2020

Statement of Ms. Yasmin Sooka, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, at 43rd Human Rights Council session 
9 March 2020

Statement by Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, Johannesburg, 20 February, 2020 
20 February 2020

Statement to the media, Juba | Delivered by Commission Chair Yasmin Sooka, Commission Member Andrew Clapham, and Commission Member Barney Afako
7 February 2020

2019

Statement by Yasmin Sooka, Chair of Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, on extension of pre-transitional period of Revitalised Peace Agreement 
8 November 2019

Statement of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, at the 42nd Human Rights Council session
16 September 2019

Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: Statement to the media, Juba 
23 August 2019

Statement of Ms. Yasmin Sooka, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, at 40th Human Rights Council session
12 March 2019

Statement to the media in Nairobi & Geneva
20 February 2019

2018

Opening Remarks by Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan at Press Conference
7 December 2018

Statement by Ms. Yasmin Sooka, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan at 39th Human Rights Council session
17 September 2018

Opening Remarks at Press Conference by the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
23 August 2018

Statement of Ms. Yasmin Sooka, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, at 37th Human Rights Council session
13 March 2018

2017

Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - Mission to South Sudan and Ethiopia (4 to 15 September 2017)
20 September 2017

Statement of Ms. Yasmin Sooka – chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan at the 36th session of the Human Rights Council
18 September 2017

Speech of the Chair of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to the Human Rights Council 
14 March 2017

2016

Statement by Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan at the 26th Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council
14 December 2016

Reports & Documentation

A/HRC/55/26 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 1 March 2024

A/HRC/54/CRP.6 - Entrenched repression: systematic curtailment of the democratic and civic space in South Sudan- 5 October 2023

A/HRC/52/CRP.3 - State of Impunity: the persistence of violence and human rights violations in South Sudan. Detailed findings of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 3 April 2023

Summary of Outcomes Adopted at the Conference on Sustaining Momentum for Transitional Justice in South Sudan - 20 – 22 February 2023

A/HRC/52/26 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 31 January 2023

A/HRC/49/CRP.4 - Conference room paper on conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls in South Sudan - 21 March 2022

A/HRC/49/78 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 16 March 2022

Summary of Resolutions from the Conference on Sustaining Momentum for Transitional Justice in South Sudan of December 2021, organized by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights – 31 January 2022

A/HRC/48/CRP.3 - Conference room paper on human rights violations and related economic crimes in the Republic of South Sudan - 23 September 2021

A/HRC/46/CRP.2 - Conference room paper of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 19 February 2021

A/HRC/46/53 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 19 February 2021

A/HRC/45/CRP.4 - Conference Room Paper: transitional justice and accountability – 6 October 2020

A/HRC/45/CRP.3 - Conference Room Paper: starvation as a method of warfare in South Sudan – 6 October 2020

Report of the Transitional Justice Workshop of December 2019, organised by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 5 October 2020

A/HRC/43/56 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan – Infographic - 20 February 2020

Prosecuting Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes in South Sudan: working session on strategies for evidence collection, Addis Ababa – 4-5 March 2019

A/HRC/40/69 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan – 20 February 2019

A/HRC/40/CRP.1 - Conference Room Paper of the Report – 20 February 2019

Audio of press conference for the launch of the report

A/HRC/37/71 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan

A/HRC/37/CRP.2 - Conference Room Paper of the Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan

A/HRC/RES/34/25 - Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 24 March 2017 on the Situation of human rights in South Sudan.

A/HRC/34/63 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan

A/HRC/RES/31/20 – Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 23 March 2016 on the Situation of human rights in South Sudan.

Mandate

  • To monitor and report on the situation of human rights in South Sudan, and to make recommendations to prevent further deterioration of the situation with a view to its improvement. 
  •  To determine and report the facts and circumstances of, collect and preserve evidence of, and clarify responsibility for alleged gross violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes, including sexual and gender-based violence and ethnic violence, with a view to ending impunity and providing accountability, and to make such information available also to all transitional justice mechanisms, including those to be established pursuant to chapter V of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, including the hybrid court for South Sudan, once established in cooperation with the African Union; 
  • To report on the factual basis for transitional justice and reconciliation;
  • To provide guidance on transitional justice, including accountability and reconciliation and healing, as appropriate, and – once the Government of South Sudan commits to cooperating with the African Union on establishing the hybrid court for South Sudan – to make recommendations on technical assistance to the Government to support accountability, reconciliation and healing;
  • To engage with the Government of South Sudan, international and regional mechanisms, including the United Nations, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the African Union, including by building upon the work of its Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan and its African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, including the Partners Forum, the Chair of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission and civil society, with a view to providing support to national, regional and international efforts to promote accountability for human rights violations and abuses;
  • To make recommendations on technical assistance and capacity-building, as appropriate, including to law enforcement institutions, on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including on addressing sexual and gender-based violence.

Members

Current Commissioners:

Former Commissioners:

The Commissioners are not UN staff, they are not renumerated for their work, and they serve independently in their capacity as experts.

Photos

Commissioner Yasmin Sooka with H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan, after their formal meeting in Juba – February 2024

Commissioner Yasmin Sooka with H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan, after their formal meeting in Juba – February 2024 © Office of the President, Government of South Sudan

Members of the Commission – Yasmin Sooka, Barney Afako, and Carlos Castresana Fernández with the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Dr. Reik Machar, in Juba - February 2024

Members of the Commission – Yasmin Sooka, Barney Afako, and Carlos Castresana Fernández with the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Dr. Reik Machar, in Juba - February 2024 © CHRSS

Members of the Commission – Yasmin Sooka, Barney Afako, and Carlos Castresana Fernández engage in discussions with Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. James Pitia Morgan, in Juba - February 2024

Members of the Commission – Yasmin Sooka, Barney Afako, and Carlos Castresana Fernández engage in discussions with Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. James Pitia Morgan, in Juba - February 2024 © CHRSS

Members of the Commission with Ms. Jemma Nunu Kumba, Hon. Speaker of the Transitional Legislative Assembly, South Sudan

Members of the Commission with Ms. Jemma Nunu Kumba, Hon. Speaker of the Transitional Legislative Assembly, South Sudan © CHRSS

Members of the Commission – Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández meeting with Ms. Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights in New York – November 2023

Members of the Commission – Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández meeting with Ms. Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights in New York – November 2023 © CHRSS

A consultative discussion with the NGO Working Group at UNSC in New York – November 2023

A consultative discussion with the NGO Working Group at UNSC in New York – November 2023 © CHRSS

Talks with the Africa Group (A3 - Gabon, Ghana & Mozambique) in New York – November 2023

Talks with the Africa Group (A3 - Gabon, Ghana & Mozambique) in New York – November 2023 © CHRSS

Members of the Commission – Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández met with Ms. Pramila Patten, SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict in New York – November 2023

Members of the Commission – Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández met with Ms. Pramila Patten, SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict in New York – November 2023 © CHRSS

Commissioner Barney Afako and the Secretariat staff in talks with the Director of Public Prosecutions in Kenya – October 2023

Commissioner Barney Afako and the Secretariat staff in talks with the Director of Public Prosecutions in Kenya – October 2023 © DDP_Kenya

CoHRSS investigator speaking with South Sudanese refugees at Kario refugee camp, East Darfur, Sudan, 10 December 2018 ©CoHRSS

Members of the Commission – Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández addressing the media in Nairobi during the release of CRP © CHRSS

Commissioner Barney Afako and Andrew Clapham engage in discussions with Dr. Riek Machar, the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan in Juba, sharing the findings of the Commission's investigation

Commissioner Barney Afako and Andrew Clapham engage in discussions with Dr. Riek Machar, the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan in Juba, sharing the findings of the Commission's investigation - 17, February 2023.

Commissioner Barney Afako, Andrew Clapham and CHRSS Coordinator Peter Mwesigwa with Dr. Riek Machar, the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan - 17 February 2023.

Commissioner Barney Afako, Andrew Clapham and CHRSS Coordinator Peter Mwesigwa with Dr. Riek Machar, the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan - 17 February 2023.

Commissioner Barney Afako and Andrew Clapham hold a meeting with Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut in Juba, South Sudan – 17 February 2023

Commissioner Barney Afako and Andrew Clapham hold a meeting with Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut in Juba, South Sudan – 17 February 2023

The members of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan engage in a meeting with representatives from African Union nations in Juba. They discuss critical aspects of South Sudan's transition towards sustainable peace. – 17 February 2023

Commissioner Barney Afako and Andrew Clapham hold discussions with authorities in Malakal, Upper Nile on 16 February 2023, focusing on ways to prevent the recurrence of violence in the region.

Commissioner Barney Afako and Andrew Clapham hold discussions with authorities in Malakal, Upper Nile on 16 February 2023, focusing on ways to prevent the recurrence of violence in the region.

Feature Stories

Feature Stories

Infographics

Click the image below for individual full-size JPG files

Report on the human rights situation in South Sudan, March 2024 – a three page overview
Report on the human rights situation in South Sudan, March 2024 – a three page overview
Starvation and Corruption hallmarks of conflict © UNHRC
Starvation and Corruption hallmarks of conflict © UNHRC
Work of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan © UNHRC
Work of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan © UNHRC
CoHR South Sudan - localized violence map © UNHRC
CoHR South Sudan - localized violence map © UNHRC
CoHR South Sudan – localized vs political violence © UNHRC
CoHR South Sudan – localized vs political violence © UNHRC
Entrenched Repression: Civil Society
Entrenched Repression: Civil Society
Entrenched Repression: Media
Entrenched Repression: Media

Videos

Members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan hold a press conference on their latest report in Geneva on 7 March 2023

Contact

For any query or to submit information, please contact:
Email: ohchr-chrsouthsudan@un.org

Mailing Address:
Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS)
UNMISS HQ
Tomping, Juba - 081111
Republic of South Sudan

For media queries, please contact:

Rajeev Puthenpurackal Sunil Kumar
Public Information Officer
Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
E-mail: rajeev.puthenpurackalsunilkumar@un.org
Landline: +211 91 206 7030
Mobile: +211 912174078

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