Joint Communiqué with the UN Special Representative to the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict

Brief Description

In 2014, the Government of South Sudan signed a joint communiqué with the UN Special Representative to the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Bangura, in which it committed to address conflict-related sexual violence through measures including the issuance and enforcement of clear orders through military and police chains of command prohibiting sexual violence, accountability mechanisms, exclusion of perpetrators from the security forces and from amnesty provisions, and enhanced services for survivors. A focal point on sexual violence was established within the Presidency, and a working group formed to follow up on recommendations.

The Ministry of Defense on its part and as a result of joint communique between the government and the UN developed a code of conduct for the army in handling sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases and court marshaling of army perpetrators. As part of the implementation of the joint communique with the UN, the Government has established gender-based violence (GBV) Court at the Judiciary of South Sudan with the support of partners. When fully operational, the GBV court will hold perpetrators of sexual violence accountable for their actions.