Somalia needs ongoing international
help to tackle rights challenges, says UN expert
GENEVA / MOGADISHU (25 July 2019) –
The international community must continue to help Somalia strengthen its
institutions and the justice and security sector ahead of the next elections,
says UN Independent Expert Bahame Tom Nyanduga.
“Somalia has made considerable
progress in the political, economic, social and human rights situation over the
past six years, but there is much more to do,” Nyanduga said, presenting a
statement at the end of a visit to the country.
“I urge the international community
and Federal Government of Somalia to address the negative effects of climate
change on the population, and ensure access to basic human rights such as water
supply, health services, and education for all children, in particular girls.
“Somalia also faces many other
challenges including the continuing conflict, inequality, discrimination and
youth unemployment, as well as delivering economic, social and cultural
rights,” Nyanduga said.
The Independent Expert commended
the people of Somalia for their resilience in the face of conflict, terrorist
bomb attacks, natural disasters, grave violations of human rights and other
challenges, such as poverty and lack of basic necessities for their livelihoods.
He also expressed concern at the
delay in the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission, and the
lack of progress on a Sexual Offences Bill. “I urge the Federal Government and
Federal Parliament to address these challenges as a matter of priority to
enhance protection of human rights in the country,” he said.
Nyanduga welcomed the establishment
of Alternative Dispute Centres in several of Somalia’s States, which play an
increasingly key role in the settlement of local civil cases.
The Independent Expert pointed to
progress in several areas including the recovery of territory by Somalia’s
security institutions, AMISOM troops and bilateral forces. He praised the
increased number of women in Parliament and cabinet, saying it highlighted the
importance of women participating in public affairs, in peace and
reconciliation, and in decision-making on matters that affected them directly.
He urged Federal Parliament to
include within the proposed electoral law specific mechanism to ensure
representation of women, minority clans and other vulnerable groups in
Parliament, rather than leaving this task to the election commission. If it
doesn’t do so, it risks losing the gains made in 2016.
Nyanduga also welcomed Somalia’s
accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He stressed the importance of
respecting the right to freedom of expression and opinion of journalists
against a backdrop of reports of continuing intimidation, arbitrary arrests and
harassment.
The expert also called for action
to end the endemic problem of sexual and gender-based violence, in particular
allegations of gang rapes across the country. “A strong judiciary and police
force will greatly contribute to the elimination of conflict-related sexual
violence and other forms of gender-based violence,” he said.
He also urged the international
community to pay special attention to the water crisis in Somalia, which has
been the source of regular lethal conflict between clans, and to help the
Government to find long term, durable solutions. “Access to water is a basic
necessity of life and a fundamental human right, and will contribute
significantly to peace and reconciliation among clans,” Nyanduga said.
During his 12-day visit, Nyanduga
went to Mogadishu, Hargeisa and Nairobi, and held talks with Federal government
and Somaliland officials, and representatives of the United Nations, AMISOM,
the donor community, and civil society.
The Independent Expert’s findings
will be presented in a comprehensive report to the United Nations Human Rights
Council in September 2019.
ENDS
Mr. Bahame Tom Mukirya Nyanduga
(Tanzania) was appointed as Independent Expert on the situation of human rightsin Somalia by the UN Human Rights Council in May 2014. His mandate is 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 either 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
For media enquiries and additional
information, please contact: Ms Mariannick Koffi (+41 22 9179506 /
mkoffi@ohchr.org) or write to ie-somalia@ohchr.org
For media inquiries related to
other UN experts:
Mr. Jeremy Laurence, UN Human
Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)
Follow news related to the UN’s
independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts.
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