WUNRN
Please see 2 Parts of this WUNRN
Release on Somalia.
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At
the end of his fourth monitoring mission to the Horn of Africa, the UN expert
shared reports about grave violations of women and children’s rights, including
the recruitment and use of children by several parties to the conflict. He
added that “corporal punishment in the name of Sharia Law by such groups,
including floggings and amputations following summary if any proceedings,
arbitrary detention, death threats and intimidation are reportedly taking
place.”
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The
UN Independent Expert on Somalia, Dr. Shamsul Bari, issues a strong warning on
the Somali security, human rights and humanitarian situation
GENEVA (28 January 2010) – The UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Dr. Shamsul Bari, issued a strong warning on the security, human rights and humanitarian situation in the country, including Somaliland and Puntland. Dr. Bari described as “extremely serious” the situation in South and Central Somalia, where civilians continue to bear the brunt of the fighting between forces of the Transitional Federal Government forces (TFG) and Islamist armed groups.
At
the end of his fourth monitoring mission to the Horn of Africa, the UN expert
shared reports about grave violations of women and children’s rights, including
the recruitment and use of children by several parties to the conflict. He
added that “corporal punishment in the name of Sharia Law by such groups,
including floggings and amputations following summary if any proceedings,
arbitrary detention, death threats and intimidation are reportedly taking
place.”
“The
Islamist Forces fighting to topple the TFG are reported to have carried out
extrajudicial executions, planted mines, bombs and other explosive devices in
civilian areas, and used civilians as human shields,” said Dr. Bari, adding
that “fighters from both sides are reported to have fired mortars
indiscriminately into areas populated or frequented by civilians.”
The
UN expert stressed that “journalists and human rights defenders in all parts of
Somalia continue to face severe restrictions, increasing death threats and are
often victims of targeted killings for their work.”
“The
suspension of the humanitarian assistance and the discontinuation of the food
distribution with continuing restrictions by armed groups to humanitarian
access by targeting aid workers,” said Dr. Bari, “violate rights to protection,
adequate food, medical care and shelter.” In his view, “that may amount to
violations of international humanitarian law.”
During
his visit to Kenya and Somalia (12 - 24 January), the Independent Expert met
for the first time with TFG’s President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and
members of his government, in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Dr. Bari was unable
to visit Mogadishu and the South and Central due to security constraints.
On
the situation in the Puntland, the UN expert acknowledged the state
authorities’ commitment to improve the rule of law and culture of democracy and
human rights. However, he noted that “piracy, human trafficking and mixed
migrations remain the most serious challenges to the Puntland Government.”
“Piracy
and the huge money it generates may pose a security threat not only to Somalia
and the region, but to the whole world,” said Dr. Bari, warning that “the
recent killings targeting senior politicians in Puntland raise legitimate
security concerns regarding the spread and the attempt of terrorist groups to
destabilize Puntland and Somaliland.”
“The
stabilization of Somaliland and Puntland could have a positive impact on South
and Central Somalia,” the UN human rights expert stressed. He urged the
international community and the UN to strengthen international engagement and
support to Somalia, including Puntland and Somaliland.
“This
increased support is required particularly for the implementation of the three
pillars of the Djibouti process -political, security and recovery- which all
include cross-cutting human rights issues,” Bari said.
Dr.
Shamsul Bari (Bangladesh) was appointed Independent Expert on the situation of
human rights in Somalia by the United Nations Human Rights Council in May 2008.
He is independent from any government or organization and serves in his
individual capacity.
UN Independent Expert Somalia
- ie-somalia@ohchr.org
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