UN Human Rights Chief cautions S.Sudan government against offensive in Aburoc

“Civilians in Aburoc are at serious and imminent risk of gross human rights violations, inter-ethnic violence and re-displacement," said Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein the UN Commissioner for Human Rights.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is urging the Government to halt any further military offensives towards Aburoc on the west bank of the River Nile in the Upper Nile region.

Zeid Ra’ad says civilians who fled from towns like Tonga and Kodok to the south in the most horrifying circumstances, forced to walk through the bush for up to 150 kilometres in searing temperatures, adding that maany reportedly died along the way “due to dehydration and exhaustion.”

The Human Rights Chief says civilians in Aburoc are at serious and imminent risk of gross human rights violations, inter-ethnic violence and re-displacement.

Aburoc holds between 35,000 and 50,000 people, most of whom arrived in recent weeks after journeys of up to 150 kilometres on foot, following an offensive by government soldiers to the south of the town.

Ms. Ravina Shamdasani, a Media Officer with the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva spoke to Agole Alex in this interview.