UN human rights expert urges Somalia to further protect
human rights during State-building process
GENEVA / MOGADISHU (2 June 2015) – The United Nations
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Bahame Tom
Mukirya Nyanduga, urged the Federal Government of Somalia to continue putting
in place measures aimed at improving the human rights situation, while
commending them for the gradual improvement in the political and security situation
in the country.
Mr. Bahame Nyanduga urged the Somali federal and regional
authorities to ensure civil society and the media can enjoy freedom of
expression. “Somali journalists are often harassed, arrested, censored, even
imprisoned, and media organisations are closed down,” he said after his second
mission to the Federal Republic of Somalia, from 22 to 29 May.
“Such incidents risk having a chilling effect on this
basic right, particularly essential at a time when Somalia moves towards
finalising its State-building process,” the expert said. “I call on the
Government to put in place a legal framework that guarantees the freedom of the
media, to practise their profession free of intimidation, harassment and
imprisonment.”
The Independent Expert also expressed concern at the
continued application of the death penalty throughout Somalia, despite the
commitment to adopt a moratorium on capital punishment made by the Government
to the UN Human Rights Council during the Universal Periodic Review in 2011. “I
encourage the Somali authorities to put in place that moratorium,” he stressed.
Mr. Bahame Nyanduga drew attention to the apparent
weakness in security and justice institutions, particularly the failure by the
police to provide adequate security for the civilian population, including in
camps for internally displaced people.
In response, the Government explained its efforts to
increase police recruitment, particularly of female police officers and to
enhance their technical capacity. Officials also outlined the efforts
undertaken to provide protection to victims of rape and gender-based violence,
and to encourage victims to use the formal justice system rather than the
traditional justice system.
The UN Independent Expert commended Somalia for agreeing
to grant access to the Human Rights Section of the UN Assistance Mission in
Somalia (UNSOM) to monitor conditions at the Serendi Rehabilitation Centre. He
urged the Federal Government and regional authorities to improve the conditions
in detention facilities and to particularly address the problem of overcrowding
and ensure the construction of separate facilities for juvenile offenders.
Mr. Bahame Nyanduga encouraged the authorities to carry
out wide consultations throughout the country to complete Somalia’s report to
the Human Rights Council. Somalia’s human rights record will be reviewed in
2016 by other UN Member States through the Universal Periodic Review process.
The Independent Expert urged the Federal Government and
the regional authorities to engage in dialogue with traditional and religious
leaders in the lead-up to the constitutional referendum and elections in 2016
to encourage inclusive participation of women, minorities and persons with
disabilities in the political process.
During his eight-day mission, the UN Independent Expert
held discussions with various government officials from the Federal Government
of Somalia, the Administrations of Puntland, Jubbaland, the Interim South West
Administration as well as with Somaliland.
He also held meetings with representatives of various UN
agencies, UNSOM, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and engaged with
civil society including the media, and representatives of persons with
disabilities, women, children and minority rights organisations.
Mr. Bahame Nyanduga will submit a comprehensive report
with recommendations to the Human Rights Council in September 2015 aimed at
assisting government to fulfil its human rights obligations.
ENDS
The Independent Expert on the situation of human rights
in Somalia, Mr. Bahame Tom Mukirya Nyanduga (Tanzania), was appointed by the UN
Human Rights Council in 2014 with a mandate to support the Federal Government
of Somalia with capacity development and technical assistance in the field of
human rights.
The Independent Experts are part of what is known as the
Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest
body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name
of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that
address specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the
world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN
staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any
government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights Country Page – Somalia:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/AfricaRegion/Pages/SOIndex.aspx
For more information and media requests, please contact
Fiona Adolu (+41 22 928 9261 / fadolu@ohchr.org) or write to
ie-somalia@ohchr.org
For media inquiries related to other UN independent
experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917
9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)
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