The European Union called for the publication of a report by the African Union detailing human rights violations committed by all sides involved in the fighting in South Sudan, and warned of sanctions if a political solution is not reached.
A statement released by the European External Action Service (EEAS) said,
The statement comes after Human Rights Watch also called for the report to be released, stating the “peace process and justice process are by no means mutually exclusive”.
The African Union decided last month to postpone the publication of an inquiry that was investigating abuses in the country and offering recommendations on justice and reconciliation, reports the Sudan Tribune.
Also see:
Justice process and peace negotiations in South Sudan are not mutually exclusive says HRW (04 Feb 2015)
South Sudan's conflicting sides sign 'power sharing' ceasefire deal (01 Feb 2015)
South Sudan signs agreement to tackle sexual violence in conflict (14 Oct 2014)
A statement released by the European External Action Service (EEAS) said,
“The EU believes that the publication of the Commission of Inquiry’s findings and its recommendations on accountability are necessary to ensure that such violence against civilians cannot be undertaken with impunity.”The EU statement went on to say that it “supports repeated IGAD and AU warnings that if the two sides continue to violate the ceasefire mechanism or fail to finalise a political agreement, appropriate sanctions will need to be adopted by the international community.”
“The people of South Sudan and in particular the victims deserve no less, and it will in the long run enable greater accountability and give rise to more robust political stability.”
The statement comes after Human Rights Watch also called for the report to be released, stating the “peace process and justice process are by no means mutually exclusive”.
The African Union decided last month to postpone the publication of an inquiry that was investigating abuses in the country and offering recommendations on justice and reconciliation, reports the Sudan Tribune.
Also see:
Justice process and peace negotiations in South Sudan are not mutually exclusive says HRW (04 Feb 2015)
South Sudan's conflicting sides sign 'power sharing' ceasefire deal (01 Feb 2015)
South Sudan signs agreement to tackle sexual violence in conflict (14 Oct 2014)