A/HRC/28/49 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 26/31, the Human Rights Council expressed its deep concern at the human rights situation in South Sudan and at reports of atrocities committed since the outbreak of violence on 15 December 2013, including direct targeting of civilians and mass displacements, and allegations of recruitment and use of child soldiers, widespread incidents of arbitrary arrests and detention, and sexual violence. The Council thereafter requested the High Commissioner, as a matter of urgency, to monitor the situation of human rights in South Sudan and to report to it during its twenty-eighth session. 2. This report presents an overview of the human rights situation in South Sudan since the High Commissioner’s last report to the Human Rights Council, in September 2014. It outlines some of the allegations of human rights violations and abuses and serious violations of international humanitarian law received by the UNMISS Human Rights Division between August and December 2014, and provides an analysis of the human rights trends in that period. Some specific allegations are highlighted, with a focus on extrajudicial killings, conflict-related sexual violence, children and armed conflict, the administration of justice and freedom of expression. 3. UNMISS has been monitoring the human rights situation in South Sudan, as mandated by the Security Council. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights works with UNMISS pursuant to a joint policy with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations of the United Nations on human rights in peace operations, providing guidance and technical support on human rights monitoring and investigations methodology. The UNMISS Human Rights Division continues to encounter security and logistical challenges that prevent the full verification of all the allegations it receives. II. Context and developments A. Security developments 4. Despite the agreements on cessation of hostilities signed in January and May 2014, the two parties to the conflict continued to engage in sporadic military confrontations. Fighting persisted throughout the reporting period, particularly in the three Upper Nile states of Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity. Overall, the military positions of both sides remained the same, with government forces maintaining control of all the state capitals and strategic towns while opposition forces have been in control of outlying areas in parts of Upper Nile and Unity States, and northern Jonglei. 5. Unity State remained the most affected by the conflict. The overall security situation in the State remained volatile due to the close proximity of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in Opposition forces. While SPLA remained in control of the State capital, Bentiu, and most of the Unity oilfields, that control remained tenuous. The Government has little control over the southern counties in Unity State and there have been frequent skirmishes in areas outside Bentiu. 6. Next to Unity State, Upper Nile State, with its oil resources, also remained affected by the conflict. While Malakal remained under government control, the security situation has remained volatile amid repeated clashes between SPLA and SPLM/A in Opposition forces, particularly in Nassir and Renk counties. Recurring opposition attacks on government forces have continued near the Paloch oilfield, which remained under the control of government forces. There have also been confrontations in Maban county 4