UN calls for sexual violence trials

A UN panel of experts on human rights in South Sudan has called for prosecution of high-profile government and military officials linked to sexual violence in the country. ‘I would like to hope that there will be some high level prosecution soon and that will be part of the impact of our work,’ said Andrew Clapham, one of three members of the panel. BBC News reports that Clapham said the increase in sexual violence was fuelled by systemic impunity. The panel, which conducted a four-day visit in the country, met senior government officials – including the Justice Minister, civil society representatives, UN agencies representatives and members of the diplomatic community. It also met women’s groups and some survivors of sexual violence that it had documented in its report.