The UN Human Rights High Commissioner has urged the Government of South Sudan to respect human rights and ratify main international human rights conventions.
Navi Pillay said she was encouraged by President Salva Kiir Mayardit who told her that South Sudan was committed to endorse core international human rights conventions.She added that she offered support to the government and hoped that her visit would speed up the ratification process on the human rights treaties, including rights of children, persons with disabilities and discrimination against women.
Ms Pillay said human rights are not negotiable and cannot be cherry-picked.
She added that there are no excuses for ignoring and violating them even for a young nation.
The UN rights chief said she was stricken by a comment made by a civil society representative saying the government should stop overusing the phrase √É”we are still a young nation” and be serious about human rights.
Ms Pillay said a young nation has more opportunities to establish effective institutions.
She urged the government to immediately ratify the international covenant as soon as possible.