GENEVA
The UN human rights office on Wednesday said that it is “extremely” concerned about extrajudicial executions in South Sudan, saying such practices constitute a “grave violation” of the right to life.
“We are extremely concerned about extrajudicial executions in South Sudan, where people face army and security forces’ firing squads for a range of alleged offenses, such as murder, rape, cattle-raiding, domestic disputes, and inter-communal violence,” spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said in a statement.
He said that a total of 76 people, including two children, were executed by firing squad, and with no trial between January 2023 and June this year – nearly double the number of victims in the same period last year.
“Extrajudicial executions constitute a grave violation of the right to life and to due process, including a fair trial,” he said. “They must stop immediately, and the government should conduct prompt and impartial investigations, and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Additionally, the office voiced concern about the continued application of the death penalty.
It is vital that the South Sudanese authorities impose a moratorium on executions, with a view to abolishing the death penalty, he added.
