A/HRC/23/31 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 21/28, the Human Rights Council requested the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to provide all necessary technical support and training to assist the Government of South Sudan in promoting and protecting human rights, and to present a report on the progress of technical assistance and capacity-building to the Council at its twenty-third session. The Council also requested the international community and relevant United Nations Agencies and stakeholders to support the efforts of the Government on technical assistance and capacity-building. 2. In resolution 21/28, the Human Rights Council acknowledged the commitments made by the Government of South Sudan to strengthen national mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights, called upon it to strengthen its cooperation with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on issues pertaining to the promotion and protection of human rights. The Council encouraged the Government to ratify the main international and regional human rights instruments, and also the continuing commitment of the Government to resolve all outstanding issues in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 with the Government of the Sudan. 3. OHCHR wishes to thank the Government of South Sudan, UNMISS, the United Nations agencies operating in South Sudan and civil society organizations for their cooperation and their contribution to the present report. II. Background 4. A number of significant factors have had a serious impact on the situation of human rights in South Sudan, notable among them being the continuing political tensions between South Sudan and the Sudan and the internal conflicts and ethnic tensions, as well intercommunal conflicts and violence, both of which severely undermined efforts at nation- and institution-building. In March 2013, following more than 12 months of strained relations, the Governments of South Sudan and the Sudan signed the Implementation Matrix on Security, Economic and Cross-border Cooperation. Oil shipments to the Sudan from South Sudan, suspended since January 2012, subsequently recommenced in April 2013, although it will take several more months for full production to resume and oil revenues to filter through. 5. The suspension of oil exports between January 2012 and April 2013, which accounted for 98 per cent of the country’s revenue, combined with the accompanying austerity measures significantly affected development, particularly with regard to the delivery of basic services such as health, education and infrastructure, as well as efforts to tackle widespread poverty and marginalization. It is hoped that, if the recent agreements are implemented, they will contribute to an environment conducive to improving the lives of the people in South Sudan and increase the fulfilment of their human rights. 6. The many challenges still facing the country, including those relating to human rights, remain significant. It will take considerable effort not only to tackle problems relating to the legacy of the civil war and the ongoing communal violence, but also to counter the impact that the austerity measures have had on the population. 7. The above-mentioned challenges include developing governance and security institutions with the necessary resources, capacity and accountability structures, addressing corruption to ensure the equitable and transparent management of public resources, developing a new Constitution and tackling the thorny question of ethnicity. Inter-ethnic tensions underpin many facets of life in South Sudan and are manifested in multiple ways, 3