Davíð Logi Sigurðsson, deildarstjóri mannréttindamála í utanríkisráðuneytinu flutti í dag ávarp í sérstakri umræðu um Suður-Súdan á fundi mannréttindaráðs Sameinuðu þjóðanna í Genf. Í ræðunni er m.a. lögð áhersla á að binda verði endi á ofbeldi gegn konum í Suður-Súdan þar sem geisað hefur borgarastríð undanfarin ár.

Interactive dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan

12 March 2019

Statement by Iceland

Mr. President,

Iceland thanks the Commission for its latest report and for the important work carried out by the Commission, particularly in identifying individuals and groups responsible for grave human rights violations in South Sudan.

We welcome the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan but note with grave concern that sexual and gender-based violence remain a central characteristic of the conflict, used as a tactic of warfare by all parties to sow terror.

Sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls erodes the fabric of a community in a way that few weapons can. Sexual violence constitutes grave human rights violations and, being committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population, may also amount to crimes against humanity. We call on the parties to the conflict to honor commitments made to prevent and punish conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence and to remove suspended perpetrators from the armed and security forces.

Ending impunity for conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence is the only way to end its widespread practice in South Sudan and we welcome the creation of a specialized sexual and gender-based violence court in Juba.

In conclusion, we would like to ask the Commission how the overall status of women in South Sudan can be improved?

I thank you.