A/HRC/7/26 Page 8 consideration. The expert also notes that while the situation in Somalia has always been of serious concern, the repeated peaks of violence which occurred over the past year have reportedly led to graver and deeper violations taking place in an environment of impunity. 17. Allegations have been raised that serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, perpetrated by all sides, including TFG/Somali forces, Ethiopian troops and insurgents/clan militias took place during the fighting. The possibility to verify and confirm reports on human rights violations is limited. There are also concerns that an independent account of fatalities and casualties as well as of the very serious events has not been undertaken. A. The right to life and safety and security of the person 18. As noted above, the recurrent and fierce cycles of violence in Somalia last year led to grave and widespread violations of the right to life. While there is no independent and official account, it is estimated that more than 3,500 people died and thousands were wounded as a result of the conflicts. It has also been estimated that about 60 per cent of the dead and wounded are the elderly, women and children. The situation in Mogadishu and other parts of south and central Somalia continues to be insecure and highly unstable as at the writing of this report. 19. In the several fierce battles which took place last year (particularly in Mogadishu), there were widespread reports of indiscriminate artillery fire, shelling and car bombs in civilian areas and that non-military targets, such as hospitals and schools were bombed in the fighting. It was also reported that the wounded were prevented from fleeing or from receiving humanitarian assistance and protection and that urgent deliveries of food aid and other humanitarian assistance were hampered or blocked. The fighting also resulted in massive internal displacement. The high displacement figures of 600,000 persons (in addition to the 400,000 internally displaced persons (IDP) previously displaced around Somalia) appeared to have decreased just marginally as some IDPs have reportedly returned to Mogadishu, often only to flee yet again. B. Arbitrary arrest and detention, disappearances and summary executions 20. In early July 2007, a reported wave of arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions took place following house-to-house searches by TFG forces/Ethiopian troops. At that time, it was reported that 1,500 persons were unaccounted for. There are also reports of persons being summarily executed and a number of civil society, human rights defenders and political leaders have been assassinated. It was alleged during the independent expert’s mission that authorities had been unlawfully detaining people in hidden makeshift prisons, and well as notorious jails such as that reputed to lie underground near the State house, “Villa Somalia” in Mogadishu. There were also allegations that detainees were being held by Ethiopian forces in Somalia. 21. It was also stated that people were allegedly being captured, tortured and held for ransom by both TFG and assorted militia. There were also some reports that renditions were occurring and that detainees were being held incommunicado outside the country. It was alleged that authorities were using “security sector reform” or the “war on terror” as to conceal violations of human rights. During his mission, the expert also raised the issues of reports of persons detained in hidden prisons or alleged cases of “rendition” outside Somalia. He was told by authorities that they did not have any information about such allegations but was assured that these reports would be investigated.