STORY: ‘There is much more to do’ – UN independent

expert on human rights in Somalia

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SOURCE: UNSOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
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LANGUAGE: ENGLISH NATS
DATELINE: 25/JULY/2019, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

SHOT LIST:

1. Wide shot, Bahame Tom Nyanduga, UN Independent Expert on the situation of

human rights in Somalia briefing the media
2. Close up shot, Bahame Tom Nyanduga, speaking
3. Med shot, Bahame Tom Nyanduga speaking at the press briefing
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bahame Tom Nyanduga, UN Independent Expert on the
situation of human rights in Somalia
“There continues to be experiences of inequality and discrimination and challenges
to the realization of basic rights such as access to water, land, health facilities and
education particularly for girls and internally displaced persons, minority clans and
other marginalized communities.”

5. Close up shot, a journalist covering the press conference

6. Med shot, Bahame Tom Nyanduga, UN Independent Expert on the situation of
human rights in Somalia, speaking
7. Close up shot, Bahame Tom Nyanduga, speaking
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bahame Tom Nyanduga, UN Independent Expert on the
situation of human rights in Somalia
“I expressed my concern on the delay in the operationalization of the National
Human Rights Commission, of which we know the selection process was completed
sometime in 2017. The delay in its operationalization affects the appointment of the
Judicial Services Commission, which is necessary to ensure the establishment of an
independent judiciary. Similarly, the lack of progress in the adoption of the Sexual
Offences Bill at the federal level. I urge both the Federal Government and Federal
Parliament, to address these matters as a matter of priority that is the
operationalization of the Human Rights Commission and the adoption of the Sexual
Offences Bill because both of them are important for sustaining the protection of
human rights in the country.”

9. Close up shot, a document

10. Close up shot, Bahame Tom Nyanduga reading through a document
11. Med shot, Bahame Tom Nyanduga signing a document
12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bahame Tom Nyanduga, UN Independent Expert on the
situation of human rights in Somalia
“Since when I started coming to this country in December 2014, I have witnessed
considerable progress in the security, political, economic, social and humanitarian
situation. I have witnessed the recovery of territory, towns and cities, and the
diminishing of Al-Shabaab’s capability. This is due mainly to the action of the Somali
security institutions, with the assistance of AMISOM troops and bilateral forces. I
wish to commend the Somalia National Army and AMISOM for their achievement
and sacrifices.”

13. Med shot, journalists covering the press conference

14. Close up shot, a document
15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bahame Tom Nyanduga, UN Independent Expert on the
situation of human rights in Somalia
“Among the challenges which remained during the last six years, and this one is very
important for the members of the media is the continuous reports that I received
about the intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and detention and the harassment of
journalists across the country. This has been happening in Somaliland, Puntland and
in all other federal member states. I am concerned particularly with the harassment
in Jubaland which is due to hold elections in a short while.”

16. Wide shot, Bahame Tom Nyanduga, UN Independent Expert on the situation of
human rights in Somalia briefing the media

‘There is much more to do’ - UN independent expert on human rights in Somalia

Mogadishu, 25 July 2019 – Despite “considerable progress” in its political, economic,

social and human rights situation over the past six years, “there is much more to do”
in Somalia, a United Nations expert said today, while calling on the international
community and Somali authorities for greater effort in various areas.

“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,” said the UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in
Somalia, Bahame Tom Nyanduga said at a media briefing in Mogadishu.

Mr. Nyanduga also called on the international community to continue helping

Somalia strengthen its federal and state institutions and enhance access to basic
human rights.

The Independent Expert was speaking on the last day of a 12-day visit, which saw
him meet with top officials of the federal government, legislators, members of civil
society, trade unionists and officials of the UN and the African Union Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM) among others. He also visited Hargeisa and held talks with the
leadership of Somaliland.

“I have witnessed the recovery of territory, major towns and cities, the diminishing
of Al-Shabaab capability by the Somali security institutions, AMISOM troops and
bilateral forces,” he said.

Impact of conflict

In his remarks to the media, the UN Independent Expert noted that although
significant progress had been made in the country's stabilization process, more
needs to be done on security and access to basic human rights, as well as climate
change, to help improve livelihoods.

He emphasized that Somalia's continuing conflict and other socio-cultural and

economic challenges were hindering the enjoyment of basic rights and must be
addressed by the federal authorities and their international partners.

“Somalia also faces many other challenges including the continuing conflict,
inequality, discrimination and youth unemployment, as well as delivering economic,
social and cultural rights,” he said.

Despite the challenges faced, Mr. Nyanduga noted that the Federal Government of
Somalia and the country’s Federal Member States were enhancing access to basic
human rights, including health, water and education for the residents.

“The increasing enrolment of girls in schools,” he said, “is a good development for
the realization of women's rights in Somalia.”

Commission concerns
However, the UN Independent Expert expressed concern at the delay in the
operationalization of the country’s National Human Rights Commission and lack of
progress on the enactment of the Sexual Offences Bill. He urged the federal
authorities and the federal parliament to prioritize the matter to enhance the
protection of human rights in the country.

Mr. Nyanduga welcomed the establishment of Alternative Disputes Centres, which

play a key role in the settlement of civil cases at the community level.
He also expressed satisfaction with the ongoing constitutional review, but urged the
federal government to come up with a specific mechanism to guarantee
representation of women, youth and other vulnerable groups.

“I urge the federal parliament to ensure that they add clear provisions and specific
mechanism in the electoral law to protect women quota in parliament … rather than
leaving this to the electoral commission,” he said.

The UN Independent Expert’s findings will be presented in a comprehensive report

to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council in September this year.

Independent Experts like Mr. Nyanduga are part of the Council's so-called Special
Procedures, which have such experts work on a voluntary basis - they are not UN
staff and do not receive a salary for their work, on top of being independent from
any government or organization and serving in their individual capacity.