Geneva Welcomes South Sudan’s Ratification of Vital Human Rights Treaties

June 9, 2019 Newsbeat, South Sudan, UN

South Sudan opening its Transitional Legislative National Assembly in 2019(Photo credit: unknown)

June 9, 2019(SSNN) — On Friday, June 7th 2019, the Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Rupert Colville, announced that Geneva welcomes South Sudan’s unanimous ratification of two vital human rights treaties, passed by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Monday this week.

“We welcome the unanimous ratification, without reservations of two vital human rights treaties this week by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) of South Sudan.” Said the Spokesperson, Rupert Colville.

According to Geneva, the TNLA ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), as well as the First Optional Protocols to both instruments, which establish individual complaints procedures.

Rupert said once Salva Kiir signs the decision, the government will deposit instruments of accession to the UN Secretary-General and the protocols shall come into effect after 3 months.

“Once the decision is signed by the President of South Sudan, the Government will need to deposit instruments of accession to the UN Secretary-General. The treaties and optional protocols will enter into force for South Sudan three months after the date of accession.” Rupert said.

Geneva thanks UNMISS for its tireless efforts to get these ratification through saying they have provided support since 2015.

“The Human Rights Division of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has provided technical support throughout the ratification process, which began in 2015.” Rupert continued.