This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25771597
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
South Sudan conflict: UN says atrocities on both sides | South Sudan conflict: UN says atrocities on both sides |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Both sides in South Sudan's conflict have carried out atrocities, a UN human rights chief has said. | Both sides in South Sudan's conflict have carried out atrocities, a UN human rights chief has said. |
In a BBC interview, Ivan Simonovic said the towns of Bor and Bentiu - which had changed hands a number of times - were now "ghost towns". | In a BBC interview, Ivan Simonovic said the towns of Bor and Bentiu - which had changed hands a number of times - were now "ghost towns". |
He was speaking after visiting South Sudan to prepare a report for the UN. | He was speaking after visiting South Sudan to prepare a report for the UN. |
Several thousand people are believed to have been killed over the past month in the conflict between the government and the rebels. | Several thousand people are believed to have been killed over the past month in the conflict between the government and the rebels. |
'Looted and burned' | 'Looted and burned' |
Mr Simonovic told the BBC that both government soldiers and rebels had committed atrocities. | Mr Simonovic told the BBC that both government soldiers and rebels had committed atrocities. |
"The level of involvement in the atrocities was different in different locations." | "The level of involvement in the atrocities was different in different locations." |
Destruction of Rubkona, Unity State | |
Mr Simonovic said that worst-affected were the southern town of Bor, and Bentiu in the north of the country. | Mr Simonovic said that worst-affected were the southern town of Bor, and Bentiu in the north of the country. |
"Bor is empty and Bentiu does not exist anymore; it has been wiped out. It has not been only looted, it has been burned," Mr Simonovic told the BBC. | "Bor is empty and Bentiu does not exist anymore; it has been wiped out. It has not been only looted, it has been burned," Mr Simonovic told the BBC. |
"You can find citizens only in camps for displaced persons. What is appalling is that you have an ethnicised truth, how conflict began, who is targeting civilians. | "You can find citizens only in camps for displaced persons. What is appalling is that you have an ethnicised truth, how conflict began, who is targeting civilians. |
"I do think it is essential to have an enhanced monitoring and reporting on atrocities that have taken place." | "I do think it is essential to have an enhanced monitoring and reporting on atrocities that have taken place." |
Mr Simonovic said his team's report would be released in a couple of weeks' time. | Mr Simonovic said his team's report would be released in a couple of weeks' time. |
The conflict broke out on 15 December, when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup - charges he denies. | The conflict broke out on 15 December, when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup - charges he denies. |
The dispute has seen killings along ethnic lines - Mr Kiir is a member of the Dinka community, the country's largest, while Mr Machar is from the Nuer ethnic group. | The dispute has seen killings along ethnic lines - Mr Kiir is a member of the Dinka community, the country's largest, while Mr Machar is from the Nuer ethnic group. |