A/HRC/34/13 73. Although there were 200,000 people in UNMISS protection-of-civilians sites, there were also about 1.5 million internally displaced persons who remained outside of such sites. They too were in continuing need of services. 74. The abolition of the death penalty seemed to be some way off because of tribal customs and tribal customary law, and progress towards that goal had to be gradual for that reason. 75. Freedom of expression was a matter of concern not only for journalists but also for others, especially writers contributing to newspapers, and for political parties. Killings sometimes took place in insecure areas, where government presence was limited. It was taking some time to investigate such killings. Implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan would undoubtedly be beneficial in persuading people to report crimes without fear of reprisal. There was no statute of limitations for homicide. 76. The Government had already agreed to the deployment of a regional protection force. A commission for truth, reconciliation and healing would be established after a committee had been set up to organize consultations. 77. It was always a problem to amend customary law because of the many ways in which it affected people, especially women, who had no right to own land or property. An improved family law could not be imposed, as it would simply be rejected and ignored. The country therefore needed help to improve its laws and bring them into conformity with human rights law. Women were serving in the armed forces but the Government would be held responsible for failing to protect them should they become victims in the course of armed combat. Gender-based violence was being tackled through a special police unit headed by women. 78. Ethiopia took note of the challenges faced by South Sudan in the fields of human rights, poverty, peace and security, and as a result of a lack of financial resources. 79. Norway remained concerned about the targeting of civilians, sexual violence and oppression of civil society, human rights defenders and the media. 80. France was deeply concerned about the seriousness of human rights violations committed since 2013, which possibly constituted war crimes and crimes against humanity. 81. Georgia hoped that the Transitional Government of National Unity would put an end to the crisis, in accordance with the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. 82. Germany expressed alarm at the continuing climate of violence and impunity and the fact that the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan had not been fully implemented. 83. Ghana urged South Sudan to conduct independent investigations into human rights and humanitarian law abuses, hold perpetrators to account and expedite the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity. 84. Guatemala called upon the parties to cease hostilities and implement the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan and called for an immediate cessation of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. 85. The Holy See noted the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the enactment of the National Security Service Act and the development of a national housing policy. 86. Iceland expressed serious concern at the resumption of violence, including the inability of United Nations peacekeepers to ensure the safety and security of civilians. 9