Diplomats and ambassadors of a number of European countries, the United States and Canada today released a statement expressing horror reports at human rights abuses committed in Unity State during a South Sudanese government offensive from late April to May.
“The Heads of Mission are deeply disturbed by the atrocities committed by government forces documented in the recent UNMISS report,” the diplomats said.
“The atrocities reported indicate a frightening new level of brutality on the part of government forces and associated militias, including acts such as the burning alive of women and children inside their houses, gang rapes and the wanton destruction of medical clinics.”
The statement was issued by the European Union Delegation, the Heads of Mission of France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, The United Kingdom and the Heads of Mission of Canada, Norway, Switzerland and the United States.
They all said that they strongly condemn the “horrific acts against civilians” documented in the new UNMISS human rights report. They said they are also concerned about the possibilty of a famine in sourthern Unity State after government forces forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes.
They called for South Sudanese authorities to investigate the reported incidents and to allow access to UN human rights investigators and humanitarians.
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