SOUTH SUDAN: Rights Groups Call for South Sudan Arms Embargo to Stop Killings
More than 30 local and
international human rights organizations in
the country have signed
a petition calling for an immediate arms embargo on South Sudan to prevent
further atrocities and abuses.
international human rights organizations in
the country have signed
a petition calling for an immediate arms embargo on South Sudan to prevent
further atrocities and abuses.
These Human rights organizations include South Sudan Law Society, Human Rights Society, Amnesty International, Global Witness and Human Rights Watch.
The petition was expected to be deliveredto the Intergovernmental Authority on Development or IGAD mediators on
Thursday, 4th September 2014 demanding an urgent arms ban to stop the supply of weapons to individuals
and groups on both sides of the conflict and protection of civilians.
They said that as long as weapons are
imported into the country, they are likely to be used to commit further
atrocities.
imported into the country, they are likely to be used to commit further
atrocities.
The organizations also called on
IGAD to request the United Nations Security Council to impose a comprehensive
international arms embargo on South Sudan.
IGAD to request the United Nations Security Council to impose a comprehensive
international arms embargo on South Sudan.
“The embargo should last until effective
mechanisms can be established to ensure that weapons, munitions and other military equipment and
technology sent into South Sudan will not be used to commit or facilitate serious
violations of international human rights and humanitarian law,” they stated.
mechanisms can be established to ensure that weapons, munitions and other military equipment and
technology sent into South Sudan will not be used to commit or facilitate serious
violations of international human rights and humanitarian law,” they stated.
Amnesty International said that since
the conflict broke out in the country, both warring parties have used a range of conventional
arms and military equipment to facilitate and commit acts such as extrajudicial
killings, rape and other forms of sexual violence including the recruitment of child
soldiers”.
the conflict broke out in the country, both warring parties have used a range of conventional
arms and military equipment to facilitate and commit acts such as extrajudicial
killings, rape and other forms of sexual violence including the recruitment of child
soldiers”.
They cited some recent incidences which included the shooting down of a UN
helicopter in Unity state and the killings of humanitarian
workers, as true highlights of the urgency of an immediate arms embargo.
helicopter in Unity state and the killings of humanitarian
workers, as true highlights of the urgency of an immediate arms embargo.
SOURCE: CRN
