A/HRC/21/36
2.
Reporting
59.
The Human Rights Unit contributes to the periodic reports of the Secretary-General
on Somalia to the Security Council. It has also provided information for reports on conflictrelated sexual violence (S/2012/33) and the protection of civilians in armed conflict
(S/2012/376).
3.
Technical assistance
60.
The Human Rights Unit has translated into the Somali language and published core
human rights treaties and documentation relating to the universal periodic review to
promote awareness about the recommendations addressed to the Government of Somalia by
the Human Rights Council.
(a)
National laws, policies and institutions
61.
Security sector development was identified as a priority for Somalia in the road map
to end the transition of September 2011. The Human Rights Unit has contributed to the
work of the Military and Police Technical Working Group and the Joint Security
Committee to ensure attention to such key issues as the accountability of security forces,
civilian oversight and the treatment of ex-combatants in accordance with international
standards. The Unit has supported the Security Sector Development Office of UNPOS in
developing a code of conduct for Somali armed forces, and updated the human rights
modules used in training Somali military recruits. The Unit has also disseminated the
Human Rights Due Diligence Policy on United Nations support to non-United Nations
security forces to armed forces of the Transitional Federal Government and AMISOM.
62.
The adoption of a new Constitution for Somalia was identified as a second priority
in the road map. The Human Rights Unit contributed to the drafting of the Constitution by
providing opportunities to Somalia-based human rights defenders, civil society groups and
Government officials to review the text from a human rights perspective and to provide
their comments to the Federal Constitutional Commission.
63.
In “Somaliland” and “Puntland”, progress has been achieved since 2011 towards the
establishment and functioning of regional human rights institutions. Legislation
establishing the “Somaliland” Human Rights Commission is based on a legislative
framework that, although not fully compliant, is close to the spirit of the Paris Principles.
The Human Rights Unit assisted the “Somaliland” Human Rights Commission in carrying
out an assessment of its strengths and weaknesses as a baseline for the development of its
future strategy. In “Puntland”, legislation was passed to establish the Office of the Human
Rights Defender. The Unit commented on the draft law of the human rights institution and
organized a series of consultations for civil society and regional authorities on the role and
functions of human rights institutions. The Unit continues to support the “Somaliland”
Human Rights Commission, and has advocated for an open and transparent selection
process for the appointment of the Human Rights Defender in “Puntland”.
(b)
Justice and accountability mechanisms
64.
The Human Rights Unit chairs the Justice and Corrections Technical Working
Group, which seeks to strengthen cooperation among key national and international actors
in the administration of justice and to agree on priority areas for the short, medium and long
term. A wide variety of legal aid programmes exist across Somalia. The knowledge of legal
aid providers and their practical use of human rights standards, however, varies greatly. In
May 2012, the Unit conducted a human rights training course for 24 lawyers from
“Somaliland”, “Puntland” and southern and central Somalia engaged in legal aid
programmes. Specific attention was paid to the implementation of the Penal Code and the
12
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents