GENEVA, Switzerland, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- There are grave human rights concerns for civilians in Sudan and newly independent South Sudan, an independent expert told the United Nations in Geneva.
Mohamed Chande Othman, an independent expert on humanitarian issues in Sudan, told the U.N. Human Rights Council that civil rights were being undermined in Sudan.
"The human rights situation in Sudan remains fraught with challenges, particularly the full realization of political and civil rights," he testified.
On South Sudan, Othman said the reported death of 640 civilians in August in tribal feuds in Jonglei state suggests Juba has more to do to address internal issues.
"These long-standing patterns of localized violence are likely to continue unless the government of South Sudan takes concrete measures to protect civilians and address the widespread impunity and lack of accountability, the central cause of the conflict," he said.
Fighting between rival Sudanese forces and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army-North shows nobody is shielded from blame in the region, he said.
Sudan and South Sudan agreed this week to set up 10 border checkpoints in coordination with Ethiopian forces.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that more than 80,000 people have been displaced since fighting broke out between rival forces along the border this year.
