UN: War Crimes May Have Been Committed in South Sudan

Human rights official says "thousands" have been killed

UNITED NATIONS — A senior U.N. human rights official said Monday that "thousands" of people have been killed in the violence in South Sudan and some of the worst human rights violations may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic visited the troubled nation last week. He said the situation is "quite grim" and he recited a long list of abuses, including killings, summary executions, sexual violence, burning, looting and the use of child soldiers.