24 Human Rights organizations wrote to African Union or AU Peace and Security Council to make public the report of the AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan after its meeting on July 24, 2015.
The Human Rights’ defending bodies undersigning in the letter include Amnesty International, Enough Project, Human Rights Watch and International Center for Policy and Conflict, South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy or SSHURSA, South Sudan Law Society, UN Watch and Waging Peace.
They indicate that South Sudan conflict features serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by warring parties amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The 24 rights’ groups cite reports of gruesome abuses in recent government offensive in Unity State including burning people alive, hangings, rape and abductions.
They criticize African Union Peace Security Council’s decision to shelve the Commission of Inquiry report on South Sudan conflict since January 2015 so as not to disrupt peace process stoked disillusionment in South Sudanese about the possibility for accountability.
The rights’ groups raise questions about AU’s commitment to taking serious steps towards supporting justice for crimes committed in the conflict.
They say the publication of Commission of Inquiry report on South Sudan conflict would serve as a strong message to government, SPLM/A in Opposition leaders and their allies that atrocities committed are unacceptable.