A/HRC/28/53 accountable those responsible for the crimes, there had been little or no progress towards ensuring accountability. He stressed that accountability would be crucial to achieving national reconciliation, and that UNMISS had recommended the immediate establishment of an international tribunal to establish responsibility for the crimes and serious human rights violations and abuses committed in the course of the conflict. He called on the Human Rights Council to act immediately and decisively to help bring about an effective and comprehensive solution to the South Sudan crisis. III. Summary of interventions at the plenary discussion 18. During the plenary discussion, the following delegations took the floor: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Ethiopia on behalf of the African Group, the European Union, France, Italy, Kuwait, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, the Russian Federation, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Togo, Turkey, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. The following non-governmental organizations contributed to the discussion: Caritas Internationalis, CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, Femmes Africa Solidarité and the Norwegian Refugee Council. 19. Many delegations noted with concern that fighting had been persisting for many months and that serious human rights abuses and violations, and violations of international humanitarian law, continued to be committed by both parties to the conflict. They condemned the violations and atrocities against civilians, noting that some may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity. They also called on the parties to the conflict to immediately cease fighting and all forms of violence, and appealed to the leaders concerned to ensure that their forces would not commit human rights abuses or violations of international humanitarian law or other international crimes. 20. Many delegations denounced the lack of accountability for the crimes and atrocities committed in the course of the conflict. They underlined the importance of justice and accountability as a basis for achieving any meaningful healing and national reconciliation in South Sudan. They urged both parties to the conflict to ensure that perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses were brought to justice and held accountable. They all stressed that justice and accountability should be a vital part of the peace process. 21. Several delegations expressed grave concern regarding the lack of protection of civilians, particularly of vulnerable groups such as women and children, who continued to bear the brunt of the conflict and were experiencing deteriorating living conditions. Specifically, some delegations expressed deep concern about the grave violations committed against women and children, including incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, and the systematic recruitment of children into armed forces. 22. Many delegations stressed the need for a comprehensive political solution to the conflict, and urged the parties to commit themselves to an inclusive, constructive and open dialogue to achieve peace. They expressed concern about the leaders’ lack of political will for a peaceful resolution, as illustrated by their failure to abide by the ceasefire agreements signed under the auspices of IGAD. Many delegations commended IGAD for its work in leading the peace process in South Sudan and called on the international community to give IGAD its full support. 23. Many delegations strongly urged the parties to facilitate access to humanitarian aid in territories under their control and to ensure the protection of humanitarian aid workers. Several delegations expressed concern about the severity of the humanitarian crisis, 6