The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) visited the Republic of South Sudan from 6 to 10 October 2014, within the framework of United Nations Security Council resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1960 (2010), and 2106 (2013). The objective of the visit was to better understand the situation in South Sudan, particularly the trends and patterns of conflict-related sexual violence and challenges in preventing and responding to such crimes, and to agree on concrete response measures with the Government.
During the visit, the SRSG-SVC met with His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, as well as the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Veterans’ Affairs, Justice, Information and Broadcasting, Interior, Health, Gender, Child and Social Welfare, high-level representatives of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army and the Inspector-General of the South Sudanese Police Service. The Special Representative also met with the South Sudan National Human Rights Commission, the Speaker of Parliament and the Diplomatic community, and consulted with the United Nations system, representatives of civil society organisations, including women’s groups, media organizations, youth groups and faith-based organizations, representatives of national and international non-governmental organisations, and survivors of sexual violence themselves.
The Special Representative takes note of the efforts being undertaken by the South Sudan authorities, including strengthening of domestic legislation, efforts towards the ratification of key international human rights instruments, and the strengthening of institutions such as the South Sudan National Human Rights Commission and the Law Review Commission. She is encouraged by South Sudan’s endorsement of the “Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict” launched in the margins of the 68th General Assembly in September 2013, and the prohibition of “any acts of rape, sexual abuse and torture” under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed on 23 January 2013.
The Special Representative also emphasized South Sudan’s membership of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) as an opportunity to implement the Protocol on the Prevention and Suppression of Sexual Violence against Women and Children (2006) and the Declaration of the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the ICGLR on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) (2011).
Notwithstanding the measures that have been taken, addressing conflict-related sexual violence in South Sudan continues to be a challenge. The President affirmed the strong commitment of the Government of South Sudan to combat this crime, including addressing impunity for such crimes.
The South Sudan authorities reiterate the commitment of the Government to cooperate with the United Nations and other stakeholders to address the problem, including undertaking the following concrete measures:
- Developing an action plan specific to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), which will include, inter alia, the issuance of clear order prohibiting sexual violence through the chain of command, timely investigation of alleged violations, reinforcement of the military justice system to ensure accountability for sexual violence crimes, and training for military personnel;
- Developing an action plan specific to the South Sudan National Police Service, which will include, inter alia, the provision of the Special Police Units with the capacity to investigate sexual violence crimes, training for police personnel, and recruitment of more female police officers;
- Ensuring and facilitating the monitoring of sexual violence in the framework of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and / or other ceasefire agreement, and ensuring that sexual violence is reflected in specific provisions of any peace agreements, including those related to security arrangements, transitional justice mechanisms, and ensuring that perpetrators of sexual violence crimes are excluded from amnesty provisions;
- Addressing sexual violence concerns in any security sector reform processes and arrangements, including through the provision of adequate training for all security sectors personnel, encouraging the inclusion of more women in the security sector and effective vetting processes to exclude from the security sector those who are responsible for acts of sexual violence;
- Enhancing the justice system, including through strengthening the legal framework, bolstering the capacity of prosecutors and judges and improving access to justice for survivors of sexual violence;
- Ensuring the provision of appropriate services for survivors of sexual violence, including medical, psycho-social, legal and other urgent needs, and encouraging and supporting the work of service providers; and
- Speaking out publicly against sexual violence at the highest level and in the strongest terms, and undertaking a national awareness raising and prevention campaign on sexual violence, in collaboration with the United Nations.
The United Nations will continue to support the efforts of the Government of South Sudan to combat sexual violence. In this regard, the Special Representative avails the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law/Sexual Violence in Conflict, which, in coordination with the United Nations system in South Sudan will support South Sudan’s efforts to develop an implementation plan in accordance with the priorities expressed by this Joint Communiqué, and mobilize assistance for its implementation.
The President will appoint a high level focal point to lead and coordinate Government efforts and work with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the United Nations system to ensure the full implementation of the Joint Communiqué.
The international community and donors are encouraged to provide financial and technical support to the Government of South Sudan towards the full implementation of the priorities set out in this Joint Communiqué.