Amnesty International has called for an arms embargo and targeted sanctions in South Sudan after recent fighting across the country.
In a statement earlier this week, the organization urged both sides to do all it can to protect civilians, also proposed the two measures as a way to decease tension in the country.
“For peace to stand a chance, the UN Security Council must ensure that all countries halt any further flow of weapons into South Sudan by immediately imposing a comprehensive arms embargo” said Elizabeth Deng, Amnesty International’s South Sudan Researcher. “The embargo, which should cover the supply, sale and transfer of weapons, ammunition and military vehicles, will reduce the likelihood of all disagreements resulting in widespread death and destruction.”
Amnesty International also said that the international community should also impose targeted sanctions against civilian and military officials responsible for crimes under international law or human rights violations.
“While targeted sanctions are not a substitute for criminal accountability, in the short term they would serve as a deterrent to further violations, where none currently exists,” said Elizabeth Deng.
The organization urged both sides to refrain from attacking civilians objects, including UN sites where desperate civilians are sheltering, and urged the African Union to create a hybrid court to prosecute war crimes.