Witness testimonies and other evidence of human rights violations have been gathered by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and compiled into a human rights report, published 8 May 2014. 

The report covers the period since 15 December 2013 and was prepared by the peacekeeping mission’s Human Rights Division (HRD).

Its publication follows an earlier interim rights report released on 21 February 2014. This report is based primarily on over 900 interviews with victims and witnesses, among others,

Radio Tamazuj is publishing parts of the report section by section. Here is presented the section of the report on human rights abuses in Unity State.

Unity State

192. By 16 December, hostilities had spread to oil producing Unity State. Initially characterized by fighting within SPLA barracks, by 18 December these incidents spilled over to have serious effects on the civilian population. On 21 December, the Commander of the SPLA 4th Division, along with most of his personnel, defected to the opposition and declared himself Caretaker Governor of the State. Bentiu came under opposition control that same day.

193. In the subsequent weeks, fighting centred on Bentiu town, as well as Pariang and Mayom Counties. In the fight for Mayom, the SSLA, whose allegiance had been unclear, joined the SPLA. On 8 January, Government forces comprised of the SPLA, SSNPS, NPSSS, Wildlife Service, and JEM made a significant advance towards Bentiu, taking the town on 10 January.

194. The entry into force of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on 24 January had little impact on the military operations in Unity State. By 25 January, Government forces controlled the northern counties, while the opposition controlled the southern counties. The situation stabilized from early February, with Government forces controlling the vast majority of the State and Government officials beginning to return on 9 February. However, opposition forces once again attacked on 15 April and have taken control of Bentiu and the Unity Oil Field.

195. Civilians bore the brunt of the fight for Unity state. By 17 April, over 236,000 civilians were displaced in Unity State and by 22 April, over 22,500 civilians were seeking protection in the UNMISS PoC site in Bentiu. There has been widespread killing, ill-treatment, destruction of property, and looting in Rubkona, Bentiu, and the southern counties.

The following section provides an overview of violations committed in SPLA barracks as well as a description of the targeting of civilians in various locations around the State as the parties to the conflict fought for control. Human Rights Officers also received reports of attacks on Kokpiet Payam; Patany Payam; Wun-Nyok Payam; Nyok Kuoch Payam; and Dudi Payam during this period. Opposition forces then proceeded to attack Malakal, which they captured on 14 January.

Barracks incidents

196. On 17 December, shooting occurred between two factions of the SPLA at the Hufra Military Barracks in Pariang County, north of the state capital Bentiu. By 21 December, incidents had taken place within eleven other SPLA barracks across the State. The HRD has interviewed soldiers from all of these barracks and visited Khaljak and Lalob barracks at the invitation of the SPLA.

197. Many interviewees reported attempts by Nuer soldiers to disarm Dinka soldiers at the barracks, although this did not occur in all instances. One interviewee reported that his unit did not comply, having received instructions not to disarm directly from a senior officer in Juba. In other cases, soldiers refused to disarm and engaged in fighting with Nuer SPLA in the barracks. In one instance, witnesses reported that a senior officer protected them by enabling them to reach an UNMISS PoC Site.

198. The total numbers of SPLA killed in these incidents remains unclear. The HRD has obtained lists which contain the names and ethnicities of those allegedly killed in several of these incidents. For instance, one list received from the SPLA enumerates 85 SPLA killed (all Dinka) in the 4th Division Headquarters, Rubkona County; while another lists 32 SPLA killed (19 Dinka, six Bari, one Luo, one Lotuka, one Shilluk, one Mundari, two Azande, one Peri) in the Tank Unit, 4th Division Headquarters, Rubkona County.

199. When soldiers surrendered their weapons or were disarmed, they are hors de combat and no longer a legitimate military target. It is also typical for family members and other civilians to live with soldiers in SPLA barracks. The HRD has therefore focused on cases where civilians were caught up in fighting within barracks, and on two cases where the fighting spread beyond the barracks to the surrounding civilian populations.

200. Khaljak Barracks reportedly housed primarily wounded SPLA soldiers and those with disabilities. Nuer SPLA along with Nuer civilians entered Khaljak Barracks and began shooting on 19 December, allegedly with the aim of targeting non-Nuer individuals.

A letter from the SPLA alleges that 29 individuals, including one or two women and several children, were killed in the incident, but the HRD could not verify this information. A witness claimed to have witnessed the deaths of 28 Dinka SPLA soldiers, two Dinka women, and one Shilluk woman.

After a delay due to security restrictions and UNMAS clearance, the HRD visited the area on 1 April and observed at least 12 skulls, with two possibly belonging to children, and the remains of a human body, as well as remnants of both military and civilian clothing.

201. At Lalob Barracks, one witness reported that on December, Nuer soldiers began firing at Dinka soldiers who were caught by surprise and did not return fire. At least five Dinka soldiers were allegedly killed. Approximately 70 surviving Dinka soldiers were then detained for two days with their hands tied behind their backs.

On 22 December, the Dinka soldiers were transported to UNMISS, ostensibly for protection, with an escort composed of Nuer soldiers. During the journey, the escort stopped the convoy and Nuer soldiers from Military Intelligence selected six individuals from the group of Dinka soldiers and shot them. The remaining soldiers reached UNMISS.

202. The HRD was shown four alleged mass graves at Lalob Barracks during a site assessment on 18 February. The alleged graves appeared to have been excavated recently and, in one case, a mound of earth was visible, which according to local custom is considered as a sign of a traditional grave.

The entire camp appeared to have been burnt, and a significant presence of unexploded ordnance was observed. Further analysis is required to confirm or refute the presence of mass graves at the site.

203. The HRD received and investigated similar allegations of disarmament and shooting at the Thomas House barracks on approximately 21 December. One witness reported that she was in her tukul when the shooting started. Her one year old son was killed, probably by a stray bullet. One witness alleged that 38 soldiers were killed at the barracks. As the area had not been declared cleared of unexploded ordnance, the HRD has not been able to visit.

Unity SPLA Barracks, GPOC, and Unity Village

204. Violence began in Unity barracks, the Headquarters of the 23rd Brigade, on 18 December. At approximately 22:00, many of the soldiers were sleeping when shooting erupted. One witness reported that as Dinka soldiers ran out of their rooms, they were surrounded by Nuer soldiers and told not to move. Those who tried to escape were reportedly shot.

The witness saw at least seven dead bodies, including that of a one year old child, and claimed that many other people were killed. Another source indicated that 30 soldiers were killed in the shooting, as well as an undetermined number of civilians. The HRD has obtained a list of those killed which includes 30 names, 29 of them of Dinka ethnicity.

205. The same night, and into 19 December, unrest spread to the nearby oil field, the Greater Pioneer Operation Company (GPOC) compound, about half a kilometre away from the Unity barracks. According to two witnesses, around 23:00 hours, Nuer workers organized themselves inside the compound and attacked non-Nuer workers, targeting Dinkas and foreigners.

One witness reported there were about 40 Nuer workers in this group of attackers. Two witnesses reported that SSNPS officers called Nuer civilians from the nearby village to join the attack. Dinka policemen had reportedly already been chased away or killed. The group of civilians and SSNPS started looting.

206. Witness reports indicated that killings were carried out mainly with spears and pangas, although guns were also used. One witness reported that five workers were killed and another reported that ten or eleven Dinka SSNPS were killed. Another reported that a worker from Equatoria received a gunshot injury and later died in the Bentiu Hospital. One witness reported that the oil workers managed to contact a Government official for assistance and that Government officials arrived, gathered the surviving Dinka and other non-Nuer in one place, and ordered some SPLA to guard them.

207. After the attacks at the barracks and the GPOC compound, a mixed group of armed individuals, including defected SPLA, police and civilians, reportedly went to Unity village. The village is located just outside of the GPOC compound, with many Dinka oil company workers and family members of Dinka soldiers living there.

One witness reported that Nuer soldiers and civilians surrounded the village, reportedly looking for Dinkas, and killed at least two civilians, including one unarmed oil worker who was shot in the back while he was trying to run away and another man who was reportedly shot dead in his tukul by a civilian and an SPLA member. Several witnesses reported that people were so scared that they left their homes and went to the GPOC compound for protection.

208. Several witnesses reported that those Dinkas who managed to escape from Unity village were brought by a senior SPLA officer to the GPOC compound for protection. One witness reported that his wife and young daughter were killed by a Nuer SPLA soldier who was guarding the group as they went into a bush to relieve themselves. Later on 19 December, the surviving group was transported to the UNMISS PoC site. A witness stated that 105 people were rescued.

209. All witness accounts indicated that the perpetrators of the incidents at Unity barracks, GPOC, and Unity village were Nuer.

210. The HRD visited the Unity barracks and GPOC compound on 11 February, after the clearance of unexploded ordnance. At the Unity barracks, the HRD inspected a site where the SPLA alleged that at least 70 bodies of Dinka soldiers and civilians were buried after the 18 December incidents in the Unity barracks and GPOC compound. The site appeared to have been excavated within the previous weeks and a small piece of bone was observed on the site. However, it was not possible to confirm whether the bone was human or to determine any connection between this element and the events, or to confirm the presence of a mass grave.

211. At the GPOC compound, the HRD observed that the entire compound had been looted and destroyed. Several sections of the compound had floors stained with large patches of blood and blood stained cloths. The HRD also observed a site where witnesses alleged that at least 15 bodies of civilians working with the GPOC were burnt, with inconclusive results.

4th Division barracks, Rubkona town, Bentiu town

212. Sources reported that, by 18 December, Nuer and non-Nuer soldiers at the SPLA Division Headquarters and barracks in Rubkona had begun to ‘separate themselves’ along ethnic lines and some Dinka and other non-Nuer soldiers were requested to disarm. Some sources claimed that the order to disarm came from superior officers, while an SPLA officer claims it happened at the unit level. Many soldiers did not comply. According to a dozen interviews, shooting reportedly followed at around 18:00 on 19 December.

213. The ensuing shootings reportedly resulted in several deaths. According to one account, soldiers as well as some civilians were killed, including family members of SPLA living at the barracks. SPLA sources claim that more than 100 soldiers from the predominantly-Dinka artillery and tank units were killed. At least one source reported that at around the same time as the shooting started, at least one detainee in the military prison was removed from a cell and shot dead.

214. The HRD went to the barracks on 28 January and was shown three areas by SPLA sources where soldiers are alleged to have been buried. Although there was evidence which support the assertions that kilings took place at the sites, the identity of the perpetrators and victims, and the circumstances of the deaths, could not be clarified from the evidence examined.

215. On 19 and 20 December, the violence spread to Rubkona town. The HRD received numerous reports of arbitrary killing, sexual violence, and looting and destruction of property in Bentiu and nearby Rubkona on those dates.

216. Many witnesses reported incidents of killing and looting in Bentiu on the night of 19 December, between approximately 18:30 and midnight. In three of the reports, SSNPS officers allegedly entered houses, sometimes stole valuables, and shot and killed one or more civilians or unarmed SSNPS officers while wounding others. In several instances, the alleged perpetrators were of Nuer ethnicity, the alleged victims of Dinka ethnicity.

217. Eight witnesses reported killings of civilians or members of the SPLA, caught unaware or hiding, in Rubkona on 19 December between 18:00 and midnight. The perpetrators were often identified as members of SPLA, but in many cases were referred to as “Nuer SPLA.”

In one incident, on the evening of 19 December, four soldiers (three Dinka and one from Equatoria), reportedly arrived at a private home seeking to hide. Shortly thereafter, a group of Nuer SPLA arrived, accusing the residents of hiding Dinka soldiers. The Nuer SPLA found the hiding soldiers and shot them. After a scuffle, they also shot and wounded a resident of the home. Several other witnesses reported killing and looting by SPLA, SSNPS, and other security forces.

218. Another witness reported that he saw Nuer members of the SSNPS, prison service, and wildlife service in a group of approximately 20 with civilians carrying spears and pangas in a market near Rubkona. The group went from door to door, asking residents if they were Dinka and were shooting at people and looting property.

219. The HRD received at least three further reports of separate incidents in Rubkona on 20 December. All involved alleged shootings or killings by what witnesses referred to as “Nuer SPLA”. On 22 December, UNMISS observed the presence of around 30 dead bodies in Rubkona Market and elsewhere, although it could not be confirmed if these individuals were civilians.

Targeting of Dinkas in Tharjath

220. A number of incidents reportedly occurred in Tarijath, which is located about 70 kilometres from Bentiu. Two witnesses reported that on the morning of 19 December, SSNPS officers at the Tarijath police Headquarters were asked to disarm. A few hours later, Nuer SSNPS retrieved their guns, while preventing Dinka SSNPS from getting theirs. The Nuer SSNPS reportedly shot their Dinka colleagues, killing three.

221. Four witnesses report that, on either 17 or 19 December, a Kush Air flight to Juba from Tharjath airport was cancelled. While the 50 or 60 passengers were waiting to return to Bentiu, the Dinka passengers were reportedly instructed by the Kush Air manager to board a military pickup. They were driven away to an unknown location.

One witness reported that when she called of one of the passengers who had been taken away, an unknown person answered the passenger’s cell phone and informed her that the passenger had been killed. The remaining passengers then travelled by bus back to Bentiu. On their way, the bus was stopped by security forces, reportedly comprising the NPSSS, SSNPS, and the Wildlife Service, who ordered them off the bus in order to identify any Dinka.

Pariyang Police Shooting, 19 December

222. Two witnesses report that on 19 December, Nuer police officers in Yida market were shot by Dinka civilians, leaving one Nuer police officer wounded. The Nuer officers were subsequently taken to Pariyang so that onwards transport to the UNMISS base could be arranged. Pariyang is predominantly Dinka. While the 24 Nuer police officers waited there, one witness reports that an armed group started shooting at them.

Two witnesses report that the perpetrators were from the SSNPS, NSS, and Wildlife Service; one of these witnesses indicates that civilians were involved. One witness reports that some of the Nuer police returned fire. Both witnesses independently report that six Nuer police officers were killed.

Government forces’ advance to Bentiu and Rubkona

223. During the first week of January, Government forces comprising of the SPLA, the SSLA, and JEM began an advance to retake control of Bentiu, Rubkona, and other area. By 10 January, Government forces entered Rubkona.

224. Several sources reported that as opposition forces retreated south, between approximately 7 and 9 January, they looted homes and stores. Civilians also fled, and some reportedly joined opposition forces in looting. The WFP’s premises were completely looted, and cars of some United Nations agencies were forcibly seized. Several sources reported that vehicles belonging to INGOs were looted, with some apparently given to local officials.

225. As Government forces arrived, multiple incidents of killings, shooting, ill-treatment, looting, and destruction of property occurred. In search of protection, most civilians of Nuer origin fled to the UNMISS PoC site or south. Ten interviewees reported that 31 individuals were killed while fleeing or after failing a language test to reveal their ethnicity. Most victims were Nuer men. Witnesses reported being able to survive attacks because they were able to speak Dinka, or were with someone who could. In one case, a man returned home to find that his two wives and three of his children had been killed and that two of his three surviving children had been shot in the legs.

226. There were at least 10 separate incidents of bodily harm from shooting by groups of armed personnel. The perpetrators were reportedly mainly Dinka SPLA forces, but included JEM and armed men in civilian clothing. The victims were mainly Nuer civilians, but Darfurians were also among the victims. In other cases, Dinka soldiers and JEM elements reportedly demanded money and mobile phones from victims, who were shot or attacked with machetes if the demand was refused. Two sources reported burning of civilian property by Government forces including JEM on 11 and 12 January.

227. On 10 January, Human Rights Officers witnessed SPLA elements shooting at civilians, killing one man outside the UNMISS base. Human Rights Officers also observed Government forces stopping a car on the way to the UNMISS PoC site. When at least two passengers tried to run away, they were shot at and appeared to have died. Human Rights Officers could not leave the UNMISS base to verify, due to insecurity. That same day, the HRD observed more than 20 dead bodies in Bentiu and Rubkona. Many were evidently civilians, including a child. Some bodies had their hands tied behind their backs.

228. Human Rights Officers and other UNMISS personnel saw some male Dinka IDPs break down the barrier of the UNMISS PoC site and leave the camp when Government forces arrived in Rubkona. Some were given weapons outside the camp. Together, they began looting tukuls on the main road, destroying civilian property, and attacking civilians.

229. UNOSAT satellite imagery taken on 13 and 18 January of Rubkona and Bentiu, respectively, shows evidence of destruction of civilian property. In Rubkona, UNOSAT determined that the majority of the town has been destroyed, primarily by fire, with a total of 3,996 burned or otherwise destroyed structures identified. Indications of looting, consisting of debris piles, were evident in multiple locations.

In Bentiu, almost 1,200 destroyed structures were identified and primarily affected homes and related structures. UNOSAT estimates that about eight percent of structures in Bentiu have been destroyed.

Guit County

230. As rumours of an imminent attack on Rubkona and Bentiu by Government forces spread between 7 and 9 January, many Nuer civilians fled in search of protection to the UNMISS PoC site in Rubkona as well as to villages in nearby Guit County and southern Unity State. Guit County lies to the east of Bentiu. Many people spent one to two months hiding in small villages in Guit and other counties, sometimes moving as Government forces were advancing in search of opposition forces.

231. Many civilians indicated that they eventually decided or were forced to return to Bentiu and Rubkona due to the conditions they faced while displaced, including a lack of food, shelter, and medical care. A number of witnesses indicated that while civilians were fleeing from one village to another to escape the fighting, they saw civilians – including women, pregnant women, the elderly, and children – die of hunger, thirst, disease and, in one case, an untended wound.

232. One witness reported that after the arrival of Government forces in Bentiu and Rubkona on 10 January, she fled with her family to Guit County. She stayed in the bushes in Tharip along with 80 to 90 other individuals of Nuer ethnicity, including students, women, and children. About one week after Guit was captured, SPLA soldiers found them in the bush, surrounded them, pointed their guns at them, and demanded that they give their belongings. After they did so, the SPLA soldiers reportedly forcefully transported the entire group back to Bentiu. Two boys between 14 and 15 years old were taken by the SPLA soldiers and their whereabouts are unknown.

233. Many witnesses reported that they returned to Bentiu and Rubkona to find their houses or neighbourhoods burnt. The majority of destruction appears to have taken place in Rubkona, which the SPLA passed through on their approach to Bentiu, reportedly causing extensive damage on the way.

Leer Town and County

234. By the evening of 19 January, Government forces had reportedly arrived in Leer County – the home county of Mr. Machar – and civilians were being advised to leave. On 20 January, shooting was reportedly heard throughout the day around Leer town. One source reports that this was the result of Nuer armed elements shooting as a warning that Government forces, allegedly composed of SPLA, SSLA, and JEM, were approaching Leer. Many civilians began to leave Leer town for outlying payams.

235. Between 19 and 21 January, destruction and looting were reportedly carried out in Leer town. One source alleged that this was carried out by Nuer civilians and police officers, targeting stores belonging to foreign nationals such as Darfurians. On 21 January, the compound of an international NGO was reportedly looted by opposition forces who, according to one source, used military tanks. Two of the NGOs’ vehicles were reportedly stolen. One witness indicated that, by 26 January, all NGO compounds within Leer town had been looted. Shelling into the town was reported before the arrival of Government forces.

236. Witness testimonies differ widely as to the exact date when Government forces entered Leer town, ranging from 20 January according to one witness and 30 January according to another. The testimonies reflect an escalation of fighting when Government forces entered the town.

One witness reported that as soon as Government forces arrived in Leer town and the surrounding payams, they started burning and shooting indiscriminately. Another witness stated that Government forces caused massive destruction in Leer town, with only two churches left unburned.

237. By this time, most civilians had fled along with opposition forces, mainly to Gandor, Ger, and Tiep bomas in Juong Kang Payam; Ger boma in Thonyor Payam; and Guat Payam. According to several testimonies, Government forces followed civilians into the bush in pursuit of the opposition forces who had run along with civilians. Several sources reported that approximately 20 vehicles were looted from humanitarian NGOs.

238. The HRD has not yet been able to visit Leer town due to insecurity. UNMISS has twice tried to access the area but, upon arrival, was not permitted to remain by local SPLA.

239. UNOSAT satellite imagery taken on 2 February shows extensive destruction to Leer town, including tukuls, other residential structures, and commercial structures. Analysis indicates that a large portion of the town has been destroyed, primarily by fire. The imagery shows active structural fires and smoke as at 2 February, as well as evidence of looting.15

Opposition Forces’ Attack on Bentiu, 15 April

240. On 15 April, opposition forces overran Bentiu town and nearby Rubkona which had been under Government control since 10 January. Allegations have been received that hundreds of civilians were killed subsequently, notably in the mosque, the Hospital, the Kalibalik market and its surroundings, and in Rubkona, especially towards the SPLA Headquarters. Multiple bodies were observed by UNMISS in these areas. Investigations into all of these allegations continue.

241. Since February, many foreign traders had been sleeping in the mosque as it was considered safer than the market place. The mosque is located in the Kalibalik area of Bentiu and is home to many foreign nationals. On 14 April, hearing that opposition forces were about to attack Bentiu, many foreign traders attempted to reach the UNMISS PoC site.

Witnesses interviewed by the HRD reported that they were stopped by SPLA stationed at the bridge, apparently on the instructions of high-ranking officials from the State administration. As a result, the traders were obliged to return to the Kalibalik area.

242. On 15 April, opposition forces attacked Bentiu from the north as well as the south-east. Several units, with a decentralized chain of command, entered town. UNMISS peacekeepers who patrolled Bentiu in the late morning saw thousands of IDPs gathered in the vicinity of the Hospital and the WFP compound, as well as an estimated 35 to 40 bodies along the roadside leading to the Hospital compound, some of whom were in military uniform.

243. Opposition forces attacked and killed several hundred civilians at the mosque on 15 April. Information gathered to date suggested that killings at the mosque occurred in several steps. Around mid- morning, about 20 to 25 opposition soldiers accompanied by armed civilian entered the mosque compound and began shooting at civilians who were in the mosque yard.

At least two civilians were killed and one was injured. People inside the mosque then locked the doors from the inside. Opposition forces broke the windows and demanded money and mobile phones; out of fear, the people inside opened the doors to let them in. After several minutes, opposition forces reportedly left the mosque without further incident. However, shooting were reported from the market area and therefore those sheltering inside the mosque decided to stay.

244. A second group of opposition forces reportedly arrived at the mosque around mid-day. After extorting money and other belongings from civilians, some of the opposition forces began shooting into the crowd inside the mosque. Multiple shooters were identified by witnesses, including one with a machine gun and one with an AK-47; both shot at civilians from the steps of the mosque. Other opposition forces reportedly also shot through the windows.

245. After the shooting, opposition forces reportedly recognized some Ethiopian traders amongst the survivors and asked the Ethiopians and Eritreans to identify themselves. Opposition forces then proceeded to escort the Ethiopians and Eritreans out of the mosque. Many Darfurians were then shot. Approximately 20 civilians were killed near the minaret. At that point, most of the opposition forces left the mosque compound.

246. At approximately 15:00, another group of opposition forces arrived at the mosque, including two officers and their bodyguards. They secured the perimeter and told survivors that no further killing would take place. Survivors remained in the mosque until a military truck and two vehicles arrived to transport them to the Hospital, around 20:00. Reportedly, about a dozen male Darfurians were left behind to collect the bodies. That evening, over 200 bodies were reportedly loaded into military trucks and taken to a location about a two hour drive from Bentiu, in the direction of Kaljak. On 16 and 21 April, the HRD visited the mosque and observed corpses, blood stains, and multiple bullet impacts on the interior and exterior walls.

247. At approximately 15:30 on 15 April, Radio Bentiu FM aired messages from opposition force commanders Maj. Gen. James Koang Chuol, Brig. Gen. Michael Makal, and Peter Thot, who called for an end to tribalism. At 16:15, Maj. Gen. Chuol was announced as the Governor of Unity State. Thereafter, an individual alleging to be the SPLM Secretary General of Unity State came on the air and stated, in a mix of Nuer and local Arabic languages, that Dinka SPLA and JEM had raped Nuer women and now their wives were pregnant with Dinka and JEM babies.

He called upon young men to meet at the SPLA 4th Division Headquarters the next day in order to go to Dinka areas and do what the Dinka did to their wives and girls. Thereafter, another individual who claimed to be the acting Commissioner for Rubkona reiterated the same message and stated that Dinkas are not good people, that people should not stay with them, and advised all Dinkas to leave Bentiu.

At approximately 17:30, an individual claiming to be the Commissioner for Guit County stated that he had seen people lying down with tribal marks like those of President Kiir and that those supporting them will sleep like them, presumably referring to Dinka soldiers and civilians.

248. On 16 April, UNMISS extracted approximately 400 civilians from the Hospital and has subsequently extracted about 35 civilians from various locations around Bentiu. On 19 April, the HRD visited the Bentiu Hospital and observed approximately 20 bodies in a pit located behind the Hospital. The HRD was unable to ascertain whether these individuals were killed at the Hospital.

Between 20 and 25 April, UNMISS documented the removal of 148 bodies from the Kalibalik area and the Hospital. They were buried in separate graves to facilitate future investigations.

249. On 25 April, the HRD met with a commander of opposition forces. The commander acknowledged that killings took place at the mosque, but claimed that those killed were combatants. He further stated that an opposition soldier allegedly involved in the killing of four Nuer at the Bentiu Hospital had been arrested and is under investigation.

Related:

UN human rights report: Central Equatoria

UN human rights report: Jonglei

UN human rights report: Upper Nile