South Sudan security forces killed, raped civilians: United Nations

Government security forces in South Sudan executed civilians and gang raped women and girls during and after heavy fighting last month in the capital Juba, the United Nations human rights chief said on Thursday.

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on the government of President Salva Kiir to prosecute perpetrators and urged world powers to take "urgent action" to halt violence in the world's newest state.

"While some civilians were killed in crossfire between the fighting forces, others were reportedly summarily executed by Government (SPLA) soldiers, who appear to have specifically targeted people of Nuer origin," Zeid said in a statement.

"The fighting also resulted in widespread sexual violence, including rape and gang rape by soldiers in uniform and men in plain clothes."