The United Nations is calling on the warring parties to allow its monitors investigate human rights violations and abuses in conflict affected areas.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein says they have been denied access by the SPLA to various sites in Unity State.

Several aid groups reported that women were raped and others killed in the conflict. Men in uniforms also burnt down villages.

The High Commissioner noted that successive commitments to end the hostilities have failed to be implemented and there has been a “shameful lack of justice and accountability for victims of such gross violations in South Sudan.”

“Such persistent impunity has left many with unresolved grievances that are easily mobilized for renewed violence and revenge attacks,” the High Commissioner warned.

“The fight against such impunity must be a priority if any peace in South Sudan is to hold.”

He also urged the warring parties to prevent harm to UN personnel and infrastructure of humanitarian agencies.

However, SPLA spokesman Col Philip Aguer yesterday said the army welcomed investigation of the human rights violations allegedly committed by its forces in the state.

The beast way is to go to the ground, conduct thorough investigation.”