South Sudan: UN mission concerned at reports of intimidation of civil society members | WPN World People News

Expressing concern at reports of harassment and intimidation against some civil society members who met with a United Nations Security Council delegation during the latter's most recent visit to the country, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has stressed that any attempt to suppress fundamental human rights must be condemned in no uncertain terms.

The visiting UN Security Council delegation tours Protection of Civilian sites 1 and 3 and meets with youth, and a women's group to discuss the current situation and the way forward for the peace process.

“These reported actions are in violation of the rights to freedom of expression, movement and civil and political engagement, which are fundamental pillars of a democratic society,” UNMISS said in a news release on Sep 08.

“[We] will be raising our concerns with all relevant authorities,” it added.

In the release, the Mission further noted that the visit by the Security Council members was an opportunity for an open dialogue with a view to gaining greater understanding of some of the issues and concerns faced by South Sudanese citizens at the grassroots level.

A Security Council delegation comprising Angola, China, Egypt, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Senegal, Spain, Ukraine, United States, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Venezuela undertook a three-day visit to the country from 2 – 5 September during which it held a series of high-level meetings with President Salva Kiir and other Transitional Government members, civil society groups, faith-based organization and senior UN officials.

Source: United Nations