Rights groups demand South Sudan abolishes death penalty, unlawful killings

By Okech Francis

Rights groups including the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are demanding authorities in South Sudan to urgently advance and implement a comprehensive human rights agenda to improve the human rights in the country and address impunity, end repression and ensure rights protection.

In an emailed statement, the groups urged the south Sudanese government “to urgently address several concerns, including right to health, unlawful killings and the use of the death penalty, obstruction of humanitarian aid and violations of the right to food, water and education.”

Recently, the United Nations reviewed South Sudan’s human rights record and the three groups capitalised on it in their call to the country.

They called on authorities in the country to take further steps to ensure truth, justice and reparations for victims of past and ongoing violations and abuses resulting from the conflict that broke out in December 2013.