5 February 2015 - Rather than delay releasing its report on human rights violations during the South Sudan conflict, the African Union should issue the document “very soon”, a top UN official said today in Juba.

The AU Peace and Security Council had announced the report would be deferred due to “imminent” finalization of peace negotiations, said Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic, speaking at a press stakeout during a six-day visit to the country, which began on 1 February.

“I will be meeting IGAD (Inter-governmental Authority on Development) ambassadors right here after meeting with you and ask them what does “imminent” mean and how does that influence the release of the report,” the ASG said.

He said it was impossible to separate peace and justice, noting that both leaders in the conflict – President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar – had signed agreements with provisions on accountability.

“I think it is very important to end the cycle of impunity,” the human rights chief said. “Because of a lack of accountability in previous times, violations have been occurring. This vicious cycle has to be broken.”

Although fighting had decreased, Mr. Simonovic said he had met recent victims of ongoing human rights violations. “It is simply appalling to hear that in a certain area of the country, I think it was in August, a “month of rape” has been proclaimed. This is absolutely intolerable.”

The ASG said Mr. Kiir and Mr. Machar had both assured him they were close to peace. “It is not enough to be close. Peace has to be signed. But it’s encouraging to hear from them that they push for both peace as well as justice.”

Mr. Simonovic added that building sustainable peace needed much broader participation in the talks. “We need representatives of all ethnic groups, we need civil society, we need women, we need elders, we need religious leaders. Only if there is a broad inclusion in the political process will there be a chance for sustainable peace.”

During his visit, Mr. Simonovic visited Bentiu, Unity State, and Malakal, Upper Nile, two of the hardest-hit towns by the conflict.

“What was striking is that Bentiu and Malakal are destroyed cities,” he said. “During the day there is some life, but during the night they become ghost cities because people, almost all civilians, return to our protection of civilians sites.”

The UN would continue to protect the 50,000 IDPs in Bentiu and over 20,000 in Malakal, but it was vital to “push for peace”, as the situation was unsustainable, Mr. Simonovic said. “If there is any common message coming from everyone, be they women or men, young or old, Nuer or Dinka, it was that people want peace.”