UN must renew S. Sudan arms embargo amid persistent impunity and ongoing sexual violence -Amnesty International

This report reveals that conflict-related sexual violence is ongoing in South Sudan, and that two sections of an action plan have yet to be implemented.

The UN Security Council renewed its arms embargo on South Sudan in May 2021.

Amnesty International has documented over a dozen cases of conflict-related sexual violence in South Sudan. These crimes must be investigated and the perpetrators must face justice.

A male survivor of conflict-related sexual violence said armed men undressed him, told him to squat down and started raping him from behind.

Nine survivors of CRSV told Amnesty International that their perpetrators raped them at gunpoint and threatened to kill them if they did not comply.

Human rights defenders in South Sudan support the renewal of the arms embargo to reduce human rights violations and abuses.

South Sudan has not brought to trial any suspects of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against civilians, and has not included crimes under international law into its legal framework. Amnesty International calls on the government to establish a Hybrid Court for South Sudan.

Suspending officials suspected of sexual violence is a vital step towards changing attitudes. South Sudan must also investigate all conflict-related sexual violence.

Amnesty International conducted its investigation amid fighting between government forces and the National Salvation Front in Central Equatoria State.

The UN Security Council listed the South Sudan army, SPLM-IO, the police, and other armed groups as parties suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of sexual violence in conflict situations.