UN Human Rights Council 61: UK Statement for the resolution on South Sudan

UK Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders (UK GOV Website)

Location:Geneva

Delivered on: 27 March 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered):

Thank you, Mr President.

I am honoured to present, on behalf of a core group of Albania, Ireland, Norway and the UK, this draft resolution on Advancing Human Rights in South Sudan. This resolution seeks to extend the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan for a further year.

We present this against a deeply troubling backdrop in South Sudan, with evidence of renewed largescale conflict and ever more accounts of serious human rights violations and abuses, including violations against and abductions of children, widespread conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, forced recruitment, aerial bombardments and attacks against civilians.

Latest developments are a sobering reminder that reporting, monitoring, evidence preservation, and transitional justice remain vital tools for holding perpetrators to account. The Commission continues to play a critical role in all these areas.

Let me also use this opportunity to praise the efforts of others working tirelessly to improve the human rights situation in South Sudan. At this juncture we would like to pay tribute to the late Nicholas Haysom, a distinguished diplomat who served as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for South Sudan since 2021.

Mr President,

May I express my gratitude to Ambassador Deng of South Sudan, for the constructive discussions we have had on this text.

I also note the cooperation between the Commission and the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, and welcome the continued access granted to the Commission’s team in Juba.

Further, I thank and applaud numerous colleagues from across the Africa region, for helping strengthen the resolution by reflecting the latest regional efforts to resolve the conflict.

Mr President,

In the midst of a tragedy such as the one we are seeing unfold in South Sudan, prioritisation of human rights is essential - whether through the protection of civilians as provided by UNMISS, the capacity-building offered by the Office of the High Commissioner, or the independent investigative and accountability function of the Commission.

We must ensure that these efforts are complementary. And we must all continue to strive for a return to the Peace Agreement. That is central to delivering a future that the people of South Sudan deserve.

We therefore urge the Council to adopt this draft resolution and to vote in favour of the text, should a vote be called.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/un-human-rights-council-61-uk-statement-for-the-resolution-on-south-sudan