UN rights chief urges establishment of hybrid court for atrocities in South Sudan
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 14 December 2016 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, UN rights chief urges establishment of hybrid court for atrocities in South Sudan, 14 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5852a1cc40d.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
14 December 2016 - The United Nations human rights chief today urged the African Union to quickly establish the hybrid court for South Sudan to investigate and prosecute those bearing criminal responsibility for the atrocities.
"The knowledge that accountability structures exist and will be deployed against the perpetrators of mass atrocities can have real preventive impact," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, told the Human Rights Council during its 26th special session.
Convening a special session requires the support of one-third of the 47 members of the Council. A letter requesting the session by a core group of States reads "a special session is needed because of the importance and the urgency of this situation."
The hybrid court - which will combine elements of both domestic and international law and be composed of personnel from South Sudan and abroad - is envisaged in the peace agreement signed by warring parties in August 2015.
Expressing support from his Office (OHCHR), Mr. Zeid said that the tribunal should have a strong focus on command responsibility for atrocities, including conflict related sexual violence and ethnically based violence.
Mr. Zeid noted that the people of South Sudan have by now endured three full years of wanton conflict.
