{"id":3272,"date":"2025-10-29T10:36:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T15:36:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/?post_type=news&#038;p=3272"},"modified":"2025-10-30T10:52:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T15:52:53","slug":"counsellor-mrs-marissa-blackett-addresses-the-third-committee-on-human-rights-in-south-sudan-led-by-mr-barney-afako","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/news\/counsellor-mrs-marissa-blackett-addresses-the-third-committee-on-human-rights-in-south-sudan-led-by-mr-barney-afako\/","title":{"rendered":"Counsellor Mrs. Marissa Blackett Addresses the Third Committee on Human Rights in South Sudan led by Mr. Barney Afako"},"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-3272","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry","news_categories-delegation-and-staff","news_categories-news","news_categories-statements"],"acf":{"hidden_news":"no","evidence":"yes","focus_on":"no","breaking":"yes","news_cover":{"id":3273,"url":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/10\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-30-at-11.50.53-AM.jpeg"},"cover_image_copyrighted":false,"news_video":"<iframe title=\"Counsellor Mrs. Marissa Blackett Addresses the Third Committee on Human Rights in South Sudan\" width=\"520\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VWXHSHn1E8o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>","news_content":"<p>On October 29, 2025, Counsellor Mrs. Marissa Blackett addressed the Third Committee, on Human Rights in South Sudan, led by Mr. Barney Afako.<\/p>\n<p>The Special Rapporteur expressed deep disappointment that South Sudan&#8217;s political transition is failing, leading to a slide back into deadly violence. They identified entrenched impunity, predation, and corruption as key drivers of widespread gross human rights violations. This corruption, which has diverted over $25 billion from oil, is &#8220;killing South Sudanese,&#8221; leaving essential services absent and fueling acute hunger. The leadership is also repressive, abusing National Security Service powers and arbitrarily detaining opposition leaders, in disregard of the transitional agreement.<\/p>\n<p>The result is a humanitarian crisis marked by fierce clashes and a disregarded Ceasefire. Mr. Barney Afako highlighted extreme sexual brutality against women and girls. They noted over 370,000 civilians displaced this year alone, adding to the 2.5 million refugees in neighboring countries. Stating that impunity drives the conflict, the Special Rapporteur urged the Assembly to support the establishment of the African Union-proposed Hybrid Court to deliver justice and break cycles of violence. Mr. Barney Afako. concluded by urging the Assembly to insist on inclusive dialogue and the restoration of a credible transition.<\/p>\n<p>Mrs. Marissa Blackett, speaking on behalf of the Sovereign Order of Malta, noted the situation remains a major concern due to decades of conflict, resulting in widespread displacement, extreme food insecurity, and a lack of basic services. Through Malteser International (present since 1996), the Order provides vital aid, focused on alleviating suffering.<\/p>\n<p>The Order is concerned that the peace process faces major difficulties as intra-ethnic conflicts, often exacerbated by climate change, compound the crisis. They called for urgent international solidarity and urged the country&#8217;s leaders to put the well-being of their people at the heart of the political agenda.<br \/>\nHighlighting its work, Mrs. Marissa Blackett informed of the health facility in war-devastated Yei River County and units providing care to the most vulnerable. Citing that a staggering 70% of the population (9.3 million people) still depends on humanitarian aid, the Order is committed to reducing dependency by strengthening local capacity. This includes WASH programs (clean water), agricultural training for sustainable livelihoods, and support for primary education and a women&#8217;s cooperative. Their approach is based on working hand-in-hand with local residents to ensure sustainability. Mrs. Marissa Blackett reaffirmed the Order commitment, calling for sustained international attention.<\/p>\n","news_gallery":"no"},"news_categories":[{"id":20,"name":"Delegation and Staff","slug":"delegation-and-staff","description":"","link":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/news-categories\/delegation-and-staff\/"},{"id":21,"name":"News","slug":"news","description":"","link":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/news-categories\/news\/"},{"id":16,"name":"Statements","slug":"statements","description":"","link":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/news-categories\/statements\/"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/3272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/3272\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unmissionny.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}