Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
The Human Rights Council established the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan on 23 March 2016 by resolution 31/20, initially for a one-year term, mandating it to determine and report the facts and circumstances of, collect and preserve evidence of, and clarify responsibility for alleged gross violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes, including sexual and gender-based violence and ethnic violence, with a view to ending impunity and providing accountability.
The Council subsequently extended the Commission’s mandate for an additional year in 2017 (resolution 34/25), in 2018 (resolution 37/31) in 2019 (resolution 40/19), in 2020 (resolution 43/27), in 2021 (resolution 46/23), in 2022 (resolution 49/2), in 2023 (resolution 52/1), in 2024 (resolution 55/1), in 2025 (resolution 58/1. Following the sixty-first session in 2026, the Council extended the Commission's mandate for another year through resolution A/HRC/RES/61/2 requesting the Commission to:
- Present its latest report, in combination with an oral update on its work, to the General Assembly at its eighty-first session (October 2026), followed by an interactive dialogue;
Present a comprehensive report on the situation of human rights in South Sudan to the Human Rights Council at its sixty-fourth session (February-April 2027), to be followed by an enhanced interactive dialogue, which should also include the participation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and civil society, and that the report and an easy-to-read version of it be made available on the website of the Office of the High Commissioner in an accessible format.
Press Releases
2026
South Sudan: UN commission warns of growing risks to civilians and democratic transition as violence and impunity persist
10 September 2026
English
South Sudan: UN Commission on Human Rights to undertake 14th visit to the country
4 Septembre 2026
English
South Sudan: UN Commission warns elections without essential safeguards and genuine dialogue could fuel renewed conflict and atrocity crimes
20 August 2026
English
South Sudan: Reports of burial sites highlight hidden cost of renewed violence, UN Commission calls for proper handling and investigation
17 April 2026
English
South Sudan: Tribute to the life and legacy of Nicholas “Fink” Haysom
20 March 2026
English
UN inquiry finds South Sudan’s political and military leaders are driving the country towards a full-scale war and mass atrocity crimes
27 February 2026
English
South Sudan: UN Commission warns incitement and command failures risk mass atrocities, ethnic mobilisation and further unravelling of peace agreement
26 January 2026
English
South Sudan: UN Commission urges immediate political de-escalation as renewed fighting in Jonglei puts civilians at grave risk
18 January 2026
English
2025
South Sudan: UN Commission urges General Assembly to bolster dialogue and justice efforts, to avert return to full scale war
29 October 2025
English
South Sudan: UN Commission urges AU and UN Security Council to act decisively as crisis deepens, demanding urgent action and renewed commitment to peace, accountability and a credible transition
13 October 2025
English
South Sudan: UN inquiry’s report details how systemic government corruption is fuelling an acute human rights crisis
16 September 2025
English
South Sudan’s peace deal at risk of collapse without stronger regional action, warns UN Commission
13 June 2025
English
Targeting of MSF hospital may constitute a war crime, says UN Commission, urges immediate halt to hostilities in South Sudan
06 May 2025
English
South Sudan: Protection of civilians and adherence to peace agreement critical to preventing all-out war, warns UN Commission
27 March 2025
English
South Sudan’s leaders must avert another deadly crisis and uphold peace agreement, urges UN Commission
8 March 2025
English
UN Commission’s inquiry finds South Sudan’s leaders fuelling violence, obstructing peace, and perpetuating gross human rights violations
28 February 2025
English
UN human rights experts make 13th visit to South Sudan
17 February 2025
English
2024
UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan launches critical visit to Nairobi amid mediation talks
9 December 2024
English
South Sudan: Support for transitional justice processes critical to building sustainable peace, UN Experts say after Ethiopia mission
25 November 2024
English
UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan commences visit to Addis Ababa for critical talks on transitional justice with African Union
18 November 2024
English
South Sudan’s fragile peace prospects rest on addressing the impunity and corruption that drive human rights violations, experts tell UN General Assembly
30 October 2024
English
South Sudan: extension of transitional government will compound dire human rights crisis if leaders do not change course - UN experts
25 September 2024
English
South Sudan: President should return proposed security law amendments to legislators for revision, UN Commission says
10 July 2024
English
UN report highlights risk of more and gross human rights violations if South Sudan’s conflict drivers remain unaddressed
1 March 2024
English
Human Rights must guide the completion of South Sudan’s transition – UN experts
19 February 2024
English
UN Human Rights experts to make 12th visit to South Sudan
08 February 2024
English
2023
South Sudan: UN Inquiry’s report finds that entrenched repression imperils prospects for peace, human rights and credible elections
05 October 2023
English
Human Rights Council President appoints Carlos Castresana Fernández to serve as member of South Sudan Commission
18 July 2023
English
South Sudan: UN Inquiry decries impunity for Human Rights violations, identifies individuals warranting investigation
3 April 2023
English
South Sudan’s leaders must end attacks on civilians and prioritise peaceful and just transition, say UN experts
17 February 2023
English
UN Commissioners on Human Rights return to South Sudan
13 February 2023
English
2022
UN experts call on South Sudan to investigate top government officials for their role in sexual violence
28 November 2022
English
Urgent Action Needed on Peace Agreement for South Sudan
19 October 2022
English
South Sudanese rape survivors left without help, let alone justice – UN experts
22 September 2022
English
South Sudan: UN report highlights widespread sexual violence against women and girls in conflict, fueled by systemic impunity
21 March 2022
English
2021
High-level conference held to sustain momentum for transitional justice in South Sudan
15 December 2021
English
Threats against civil society leaders violate human rights, undermine transition to peace in South Sudan - UN Experts
20 October 2021
English
South Sudanese political elites illicitly diverting millions of US dollars, undermining core human rights and stability – UN experts note
23 September 2021
English
Despite renewed political commitment, staggering levels of violence continued across South Sudan for the second successive year, UN experts note
19 February 2021
English
2020
Starvation being used as a method of warfare in South Sudan – UN panel
6 October 2020
English
Renewed violence and delayed implementation of the peace agreement severely threaten peace and stability in South Sudan, UN experts note
14 August 2020
English
A severe coronavirus outbreak across South Sudan would have disastrous consequences for millions of vulnerable civilians, UN experts note
8 April 2020
English
UN experts say pattern of years of extreme violations in South Sudan must be reversed
9 March 2020
English
CHR South Sudan: Starvation and Corruption hallmarks of conflict
20 February 2020
English
UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: As the deadline to form the Government of National Unity rapidly approaches, much still remains to be done
7 February 2020
English
UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan undertakes 8th mission
5 February 2020
English
2019
Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan appeals for international support for peace process or risk plunging the country back into full-scale conflict
16 September 2019
English
UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: Localization of conflict and unaddressed community grievances serve as barriers to sustainable peace
23 August 2019
English
UN Commission on Human Rights begin 7th field mission to South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia
19 August 2019
English
South Sudanese individuals can be prosecuted for war crimes and crimes against humanity even in other countries, say UN human rights experts
12 March 2019
English
Prosecuting sexual and gender-based crimes in South Sudan challenging but is essential for peace
5 March 2019
English
Prosecuting Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes in South Sudan: UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan working session on strategies for evidence collection, Addis Ababa – 4-5 March 2019
1 March 2019
English
Outraged by renewed fighting and continuing human rights violations in South Sudan, UN Human Rights Experts urge all parties to stop conflict, end impunity and respect provisions of the revitalized peace agreement
20 February 2019
English
2018
UN human rights experts say South Sudan leaders should seize the opportunity of the revitalized peace process to ensure accountability and help victims of the conflict rebuild their lives
14 December 2018
English
UN human rights expert group to begin 16-day visit South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda
2 December 2018
English
Commission on Human Rights Urges South Sudan to make peace and justice a reality
17 September 2018
English
Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan calls for more justice after Terrain verdict
7 September 2018
English
UN human rights expert group begin 12-day visit South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia
20 August 2018
English
Human Rights Council President appoints Barney Afako of Uganda as new member of South Sudan body
14 June 2018
English
UN Human Rights Commission collects evidence to hold more than 40 South Sudanese officials accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity
23 February 2018
English
Statements
2020
Statement of Ms. Yasmin Sooka, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, at 45th Human Rights Council session
23 September 2020
Emerging Impacts of COVID-19 on the Human Rights Situation and Peace Process in South Sudan
23 June 2020
Statement by Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, Johannesburg, 20 February, 2020
20 February 2020
2018
Opening Remarks by Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan at Press Conference
7 December 2018
Statement by Ms. Yasmin Sooka, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan at 39th Human Rights Council session
17 September 2018
Opening Remarks at Press Conference by the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
23 August 2018
2017
Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - Mission to South Sudan and Ethiopia (4 to 15 September 2017)
20 September 2017
Statement of Ms. Yasmin Sooka – chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan at the 36th session of the Human Rights Council
18 September 2017
Speech of the Chair of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to the Human Rights Council
14 March 2017
Reports & Documentation
2-page Summary version including key findings and recommendations
A/HRC/61/25 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan – 27 February 2026, Annex, and Easy Read Version
A/HRC/60/CRP.5 - Plundering a Nation: how rampant corruption unleashed a human rights crisis in South Sudan – 16 September 2025 (low file size version) and Easy Read Summary of the Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
A/HRC/58/27 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan – 28 February 2025 and Easy Read Version of the Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
A/HRC/55/26 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 1 March 2024
A/HRC/54/CRP.6 - Entrenched repression: systematic curtailment of the democratic and civic space in South Sudan- 5 October 2023
A/HRC/52/CRP.3 - State of Impunity: the persistence of violence and human rights violations in South Sudan. Detailed findings of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 3 April 2023
A/HRC/52/26 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 31 January 2023
A/HRC/49/CRP.4 - Conference room paper on conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls in South Sudan - 21 March 2022
A/HRC/49/78 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 16 March 2022
A/HRC/48/CRP.3 - Conference room paper on human rights violations and related economic crimes in the Republic of South Sudan - 23 September 2021
A/HRC/46/CRP.2 - Conference room paper of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 19 February 2021
A/HRC/46/53 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan - 19 February 2021
A/HRC/45/CRP.4 - Conference Room Paper: transitional justice and accountability – 6 October 2020
A/HRC/45/CRP.3 - Conference Room Paper: starvation as a method of warfare in South Sudan – 6 October 2020
A/HRC/43/56 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan – Infographic - 20 February 2020
A/HRC/40/69 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan – 20 February 2019
A/HRC/40/CRP.1 - Conference Room Paper of the Report – 20 February 2019
Audio of press conference for the launch of the report
A/HRC/37/71 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
A/HRC/37/CRP.2 - Conference Room Paper of the Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
A/HRC/RES/34/25 - Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 24 March 2017 on the Situation of human rights in South Sudan.
A/HRC/34/63 - Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
A/HRC/RES/31/20 – Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 23 March 2016 on the Situation of human rights in South Sudan.
Mandate
Members
Photos
Members of the Commission – Yasmin Sooka and Barney Afako – with the Tumaini Initiative negotiation team during an advocacy mission in Nairobi, Kenya, in December 2024, emphasizing the urgency of safeguarding and accelerating critical state-building measures in South Sudan’s transition. © CHRSS
Members of the Commission – Barney Afako, Carlos Castresana Fernández, and Senior Human Rights Officer & Coordinator Peter Mwesigwa - briefing the US Working Group on South Sudan at the US Institute of Peace, Washington DC, USA - November 2024 © CHRSS
Commissioner Barney Afako with the representatives of the African Union’s C5 Group during an advocacy mission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - November 2024 © CHRSS
Members of the Commission – Barney Afako, Carlos Castresana Fernández, and Senior Human Rights Officer & Coordinator Peter Mwesigwa – with Ms. Virginia Gamba, SRSG on Children and Armed Conflict in New York, USA - November 2024 © CHRSS
Members of the Commission – Barney Afako, Carlos Castresana Fernández, and Senior Human Rights Officer & Coordinator Peter Mwesigwa – with Ms. Pramila Patten, SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict, in New York, USA – November 2024 © CHRSS
Commissioner Yasmin Sooka with H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan, after their formal meeting in Juba – February 2024 © Office of the President, Government of South Sudan
Members of the Commission – Yasmin Sooka, Barney Afako, and Carlos Castresana Fernández with the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Dr. Reik Machar, in Juba - February 2024 © CHRSS
Members of the Commission – Yasmin Sooka, Barney Afako, and Carlos Castresana Fernández engage in discussions with Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. James Pitia Morgan, in Juba - February 2024 © CHRSS
Members of the Commission with Ms. Jemma Nunu Kumba, Hon. Speaker of the Transitional Legislative Assembly, South Sudan © CHRSS
Members of the Commission – Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández meeting with Ms. Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights in New York – November 2023 © CHRSS
A consultative discussion with the NGO Working Group at UNSC in New York – November 2023 © CHRSS
Talks with the Africa Group (A3 - Gabon, Ghana & Mozambique) in New York – November 2023 © CHRSS
Members of the Commission – Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández met with Ms. Pramila Patten, SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict in New York – November 2023 © CHRSS
Commissioner Barney Afako and the Secretariat staff in talks with the Director of Public Prosecutions in Kenya – October 2023 © DDP_Kenya
Members of the Commission – Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández addressing the media in Nairobi during the release of CRP © CHRSS
Infographics
Click the image below for individual full-size JPG files
Continuing violence and the persistent protection gap - September 2026
Videos
Statement by Barney Afako, Member of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, to the UN General Assembly Third Committee, New York, 29 October 2025
Statement by Barney Afako, Member of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, to the UN General Assembly Third Committee, New York, 30 October 2024
Members of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan hold a press conference on their latest report in Geneva on 7 March 2023
Contact
For any query or to submit information, please contact:
Email: ohchr-chrsouthsudan@un.org
Mailing Address:
Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS)
UNMISS HQ
Tomping, Juba - 081111
Republic of South Sudan
For media queries, please contact:
Rajeev Puthenpurackal Sunil Kumar
Public Information Officer
Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
E-mail: rajeev.puthenpurackalsunilkumar@un.org
Landline: +211 91 206 7030
Mobile: +211 912174078