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SOUTH SUDAN / BENTIU MASSACRE
STORY: SOUTH SUDAN /BENTIU MASSACRE
TRT: 2:28
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ NATS
DATELINE: 20 APRIL, 2014, BENTIU, SOUTH SUDAN - 22 APRIL, 2014, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
20 APRIL, 2014, BENTIU, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Wide shot, moving UN cars in Bentiu town
2. Med shot, bodies on road side
3. Wide shot, dead bodies in front of Mosque
4. Med shot, pile of dead bodies
5. Med shot, Lanzer looking at dead bodies
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Toby Lanzer, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General:
“During the past few days, Bentiu was the scene of severe violence very targeted deliberate violence that struck individuals of certain identities. And I think that what I have so far seen in the Mosque and other part of town is really been very very heart wrenching, certainly atrocities have been committed here on very significant scale.”
7. Wide shot, exterior of Mosque
UNMISS - APRIL 22, 2014, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Joseph Contreras, Spokesperson UNMISS:
“The UN Mission in South Sudan strongly condemns the killing of civilians in Bentiu Unity state last week those killing were done on the bases of ethnic affiliation and nationalities. The UN mission in South Sudan also strongly condemns the use of Bentiu 99 FM radio station to broadcast hate massages directed at certain ethnic groups.”
UNMISS - APRIL 20, 2014, BENTIU, SOUTH SUDAN
9. Wide shot, UN officials looking at dead bodies
10. Moving shot, dead bodies on the street
11. Moving shot, civilians going to protection area at UNMIS
12. Various shots, IDP camp
United Nations Mission in South Sudan, (UNMISS) said that hundreds of people, both civilians and military, were killed in the fighting that took place between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and anti-government forces last week in the oil-rich Unity State.
During a visit to Bentiu on 20 April, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General Toby Lanzer and an integrated team from UNMISS, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations reported corpses strewn all over the roads and bushes in the state capital. A strong stench of decomposing filled the air, while vultures and dogs ate off limbs, scalps and abdomen of dead bodies.
Lanzer said that atrocities have been committed in Bentiu on a significant scale and added that he had seen remains of people who were clearly executed, including people who were trying to seek shelter in a mosque.
“During the past few days, Bentiu was the scene of severe violence very targeted deliberate violence that struck individuals of certain identities. And I think that what I have so far seen in the Mosque and other part of town is really been very, very heart wrenching, certainly atrocities have been committed here on very significant scale.” – said Lanzer.
Along the road leading up to the Kali-Ballee Mosque, a tractor was removing bodies to take them to a grave yard.
Outside the gate was another pile of bodies, shattered beyond recognition. Shoes and clothes were scattered all over the mosque’s compound. Inside the mosque were equally graphic scenes.
According to the UNMISS, the anti-government forces entered the mosque, separated individuals of certain nationalities and ethnic groups and escorted them to safety, while the others were killed. It added that hate speech was broadcast on local radio station, saying certain groups should leave the town and urging men to rape women.
Joseph Contreras, Spokesperson of UNMISS said that the UN Mission in South Sudan strongly condemns the killing of civilians in Bentiu done on the bases of ethnic affiliation and nationalities.
“The UN mission in South Sudan also strongly condemns the use of Bentiu 99 FM radio station to broadcast hate massages directed at certain ethnic groups.”- added.
More than 200 civilians were reportedly killed and over 400 wounded.
Bentiu, capital of the oil-rich Unity State, has changed hands several times during the conflict.
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