A/HRC/39/72 D. Fight against Al-Shabaab, and security situation 29. The Somalia national forces, with the support of AMISOM troops, have ensured the improvement of the security situation in Somalia, thus strengthening democratic institutions, improving stability and delivery of services by the Government to the Somali people. In that connection, in April 2018, following week-long deliberations, senior commanders of AMISOM6 concluded on their transition plan in Somalia. The commanders evaluated the status of the implementation of the plan, which included launching operations to flush out Al-Shabaab remnants and building the capacity of the Somali security forces, as stipulated in the country’s National Security Architecture, as agreed by political leaders in April 2017. In December 2017, participants in a security conference in Mogadishu reiterated the need to ensure that the drawdown of African Union forces is based on realistic and not artificial timelines. 30. The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia stated that the Somali National Security Forces needed to be supported with the required equipment and weapons and the required mobility to be able to perform their duties. In that connection, the Independent Expert welcomes the launch by the European Union of a 10.5 billion euro ($12.4 billion) “peace facility”, which will be operational in 2021 to pay for military equipment, including lethal weaponry, for partner countries in crisis zones such as Somalia. The fund, when operational, will greatly enhance the capacity of Somalia national forces to fight Al-Shabaab and protect the country after the withdrawal of AMISOM forces. E. Freedom of expression 31. The Independent Expert notes a slight improvement in the situation of the right to freedom of expression and opinion compared with the previous year, but continues to receive reports of alleged cases of arbitrary arrest, detention without trial, harassment and acts of intimidation of journalists committed by security forces and agencies at the Federal and Federal Member State levels. The reports indicate that arrests and intimidation were common in Berbera, Hargeisa, Garowe, Kismayu, Mogadishu, Galkayo, Bossasso, Baidoa, Beledweyne, Las Anod and Jowhar. During the reporting period, 4 journalists were killed and 12 wounded, particularly in the last four months of 2017. In addition, 22 journalists were arrested and 8 assaulted. Some allegedly received death threats or were imprisoned without due process but later released without any charges. 32. Three of the four journalists who were killed died on 14 October 2017, after the deadliest bomb blast to hit Mogadishu. In addition, two news media organizations were shut down in 2017 and six news websites were blocked in Somaliland on court orders, for publishing articles that had been deemed critical to authorities, or for reporting on the conflict between Puntland and Somaliland, which was considered a state security issue, thus constraining both traditional media and online platforms. Journalists have been arrested for publishing what is perceived as “fake news”. Attacks on journalists, intimidation, harassment and death threats is pervasive and continues with impunity. 33. In the area of policy formulation and legislation, the proposed amendments to the Media Law that is currently before the Federal Parliament do not contain recommendations made by media practitioners. This might yet produce a law that does not meet international standards. At the Federal Member State level in Puntland, Parliament approved the amendments to the Media Law on 6 December 2017, while Jubbaland authorities initiated consultations on a media bill in November 2017. 6 www.amisom-au.org. 9