A/HRC/13/65 page 19 the police training programme by UNDP. On the question of human rights violations committed by the regional security committees, the Minister believed that could be resolved in the context of a broader reform of justice undertaken under the UNDP Rule of Law and Security Programme. VII. OBSERVATIONS ON THE SITUATION IN SOMALIA 75. The situation in Somalia has continued to be one of the most difficult humanitarian crises in the world in recent years. It is also among the most dangerous for all concerned – the people, the warring factions and the international community as a whole. The security situation has worsened, with more lethal fighting. As a result, the humanitarian and human rights situation continues to be deplorable. Too many people are being killed, maimed, gagged, silenced, humiliated, made homeless and displaced within and outside the country. It is a free-for-all situation, with total impunity. What is happening to the people of Somalia is a scandal and a blot on humanity’s conscience. 76. This unconscionable state of affairs appears to have been endless. Two decades of suffering of a people is too long. There are, of course, other such crises in the world – in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, etc. – but in all these, international efforts have been engaged, more or less, in finding solutions. In Somalia, there has been no sustained international effort. What the United Nations and others are doing can only be described as first aid. As a result, the situation has gone from bad to worse; if it is allowed to fester, it can only deteriorate. 77. By all indications, Somalia is turning into a hot spot for international terrorism which, left unattended, is bound to spill over to neighbouring countries. Equally importantly, the growing menace of piracy in and around Somalia waters is fast assuming alarming proportions given its exploitation by professional criminal syndicates. It is no longer the work of some unemployed youths looking for a livelihood and easy money. The criminals are taking advantage of the lack of an effective central Government. The international community must act fast and in a united manner to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. 78. The independent expert believes that the time has come for the international community to take a fresh look at the situation in Somalia and consider what has been done to find a solution to the Somali crisis. The first step would be to take stock of the peace process initiated by the Djibouti Agreement of 2008, by asking the following questions: is it working as envisioned; if not, what factors are impeding the process; what would help to move it forward; and is there a need to amend the process? 79. A year ago, the independent had been more upbeat and optimistic about Somalia, but that had changed in the last six months. He had expected that the new Transitional Federal Government would act fast to consolidate the goodwill with which it began. He thought that the opposition forces would suffer from dwindling popular support. He felt that the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia, war fatigue of the population and imposition of a harsh alien version of sharia law on the people would weaken the position of the hard-line Islamists. However, there is no clear indication to that effect, nor is there any indication that the Government is gaining the upper hand.