A/HRC/13/65
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security and police chiefs was well received by the people. The Government should set
clear-cut standards for good governance, with proper norms and principles. The setting up
of a national human rights commission (through the constitution-drafting process) and
human rights courts would also send positive signals to the people. A firm announcement
by the Government that it is seeking to banish the culture of impunity altogether from
Somalia is of paramount importance.
93. The Government should consider arranging consultation meetings with a broad
range of people to seek their views on affairs of the State and, in particular, the future
Constitution of Somalia, to let people know that their views matter, although this will not
be easy given the country’s circumstances. The consultations could take place on a
geographical, group or gender basis, as appropriate. They should, however, take place
within Somalia, wherever possible.
94. The Government should make arrangements for visits by Government ministers and
senior officials to refugee camps in Kenya and Yemen and seek refugees’ views on whether
they would be interested in returning home under proper arrangements and working for
the Government. In addition, Government ministers and senior officials simply visiting the
camps regularly would boost the morale of the refugees. Similar arrangements should also
be made for visits by members of the Parliament and other transitional federal institutions.
95. The Government should also focus on three other key issues which emerged from the
independent expert’s talks with the refugees in particular. These are: creation of livelihood
opportunities; reopening of schools and support to education institutions; and
strengthening medical services. Such work should be conducted in parallel with
Government efforts to end insurgency. There is no alternative to the Government’s efforts
to help the youth, for example, to withstand financial inducement offered by the insurgents
to join them.
B. For the Somaliland authorities
96. While the independent expert acknowledges the Somaliland authorities’ efforts to
improve rule of law and democracy, he urges them to put an end to the practice of the
regional and district security committees ordering arrest and detention and imposing
prison sentences or other penalties by bypassing the courts. Appropriate measures should
be taken to release all persons currently imprisoned by the security committees or charge
them for cognizable criminal offences before regular criminal courts.
C. For the Puntland authorities
97. While appreciating the efforts of the Puntland authorities to host IDPs despite
legitimate security concerns, the independent expert urges them to refrain from
threatening to expel IDPs to the south or any other area. Women and young girls should be
protected from rape, domestic violence and sexual and gender-based violence and provided
with health care, psychosocial and rehabilitation and redress support.
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