The South Sudanese Army and rebel forces committed “extraordinary acts of cruelty” and should be prosecuted for war crimes, according to Human Rights Watch.
In a report released today, the New York-based rights group said that both sides have killed civilians and looted property during recent clashes and that some of their acts could amount to crimes against humanity.
“The crimes against civilians in South Sudan over the past months, including ethnic killings, will resonate for decades,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch.
“It is essential for both sides to end the cycle of violence against civilians immediately, and to acknowledge and support the need for justice.”
HRW said that South Sudan’s government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army, Opposition forces and their allies should ensure an immediate end to all abuses against civilians, and agree to a justice process that meets international standards, adding that the scale and gravity of the abuses warrant a “comprehensive arms embargo” on South Sudan, as well as “targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for serious violations of international law”.