A/HRC/45/52 2 July.25 On 13 April, the Federal Government acknowledged the crucial role of the media and classified it as an essential service in the fight against COVID-19. Nonetheless, journalists continued to face restrictions in the exercise of their duties. For instance, on 20 March, Puntland police arrested a journalist for seeking the views of the public on ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On 14 April, the Somali police force arrested a journalist working for a private radio and television station in Mogadishu following posts on his social media criticizing the Government’s response to the pandemic. He was released on bail four days later and appeared before court on 7 July.26 28. Moreover, the price of basic items and commodities have spiked in various parts of the country, posing additional risks to food security for vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities and persons living in poverty. The pandemic has also disrupted the flow of remittances, which is a major source of revenue for many. 29. The Independent Expert urges the Federal Government and its partners to place human rights at the centre of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies, as the only way to guarantee long-term recovery and achieve sustainable development. V. Main human rights challenges A. Violations of the right to life 1. Protection of civilians during armed conflict 30. The Independent Expert acknowledges the efforts made by the Federal Government and its international partners to put in place measures to protect the people of Somalia, prevent violations and ensure that the security forces comply with international human rights and humanitarian law, including through the provision of training and the development of tools such as human rights action plans. 31. Nonetheless, the Independent Expert is concerned about the continued volatility of the conflict in Somalia resulting in unacceptable levels of civilian casualties. During the period under review, the United Nations reported almost 800 security incidents leading to over 300 alleged unlawful killings/assassinations and almost 500 injuries during military operations. The killings and injuries occurred as a result of attacks by the parties to the conflict, aerial bombardments and inter-clan violence and have been attributed to AlShabaab, clan militia, Somali security forces, AMISOM elements and unidentified perpetrators. 27 In some instances, civilians have been compelled to pay fees to armed groups or to take sides in conflicts against their wishes. The conflict has also resulted in grave violations against children and in conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls, especially in camps for internally displaced persons and refugees and in host communities. Those responsible for violations have seldom been held accountable, nor have the victims been awarded appropriate remedies, reparations or rehabilitation support. 32. The Independent Expert is encouraged by the efforts made by the Somali authorities and international partners to implement a security sector reform transition plan that will make Somali security institutions responsible for citizens’ security and that is underpinned by respect for international human rights law. Protection and mitigation measures such as the erection of checkpoints, greater surveillance and the adoption of reasonable precautions in targeted operations to safeguard civilians have been noted. 33. Nevertheless, civilians, including human rights defenders and journalists, continue to be the targets of assassinations (at least 35 of which allegedly by Al-Shabaab) and 25 26 27 8 https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/somali-officer-sentenced-death-shooting-civilians71574589. See www.hrw.org/news/2020/07/06/baseless-charges-against-prominent-somali-journalist. S/2019/884, para. 41, S/2020/121, para. 49, and S/2020/398, para. 44.