The UNMISS Director of Human Rights says high profile officials in the government will be denied amnesty, stripped of their immunity and held accountable if found guilty of committing war crimes in the conflict.

According to the peace agreement, a transitional justice system will be formed to facilitate national healing, reconciliation and accountability.

UN reports state that tens of thousands of people have been killed and over 30, 000 people displaced from their homes in the two year conflict that started in 2013.

The Transitional Justice will involve judicial and non-judicial mechanisms to address massive human rights abuses, ensure accountability and promote reconciliation.

The measures will also include criminal prosecution, truth seeking, reparation programs and various kinds of institutional reforms.

These activities will be conducted by three institutions which will be established by the transitional government.
They include the Commission for Truth Reconciliation and Healing, the Hybrid Court for South Sudan and the Compensation and Reparation Authority.

“No, there is no amnesty, if you have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide, there is no amnesty. So you are going to be held accountable, and it is there in agreement,” said Eugene Nindorera, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan Director of human Rights, addressing journalists during a media briefing in the UN House in Juba.

Mr. Nindorera says stated that the provision is clearly legislated in the International Criminal Law. “
“You are killing people because they are part of a native group, or something like that, and they have not done anything to you. So this is not acceptable,” he argued.

“That’s why you cannot justify that you have done it because of your position, or you cannot expect to be protected by your position if you have killed innocent people.”

Mr. Nindorera said some individuals may use their powers to evade justice, but they will still be required to account for their crimes in future.

“…. when people are powerful, it is difficult to be arrested. But you may be powerful today, but you will not be powerful for your entire life.”