A/HRC/10/85 page 16 51. Right to education: As a result of armed conflicts which have lasted for close to two decades, the education sector in Somalia has been drastically affected, with most educational institutions, other than religious schools, closed, particularly in the conflict-ridden areas. However, Somalis have managed to organize an independent schooling system in many places, giving children a chance to enjoy basic education. In the last two years, however, these institutions have also been targeted by both sides to the conflict. In October and November 2008, TFG forces have reportedly closed down 34 schools, including 7 universities, for security reasons, preventing some 30,000 students from attending classes. The fact that the Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia had to publicly condemn these closures also indicated the lack of coordination between different branches of the Government that should work in a concerted team spirit. 52. Right to health care: With an increased part of the population in need, the chronic food insecurity and endemic high malnutrition rates, the burden on and demand for basic health services have increased in an already dilapidated health system with very low levels of service coverage and poor health indicators. The outbreaks of communicable diseases, including cholera, meningitis and measles, are recurrent due to unhygienic conditions, limited access to safe drinking water, weakened immune systems due to poor nutrition, and general livelihood distress. The situation analysis in the United Nations 2008 Somalia Consolidated Appeal (CAP) document, particularly for the South and Central regions and for IDPs in the North, highlighted the critical health care conditions. While public hospitals are destroyed by the war and do not or rarely function, a large part of the population cannot afford medical care in the limited private clinics. International assistance is also hampered by the deteriorating security situation and access. Humanitarian organizations operating in Somalia, such as CARE and Médecins sans frontières (MSF), are often targeted. Three MSF staff members were deliberately killed in Kismayo in early 2008. As I recommended in my previous report, hospitals and medical services run by the Government must be revived and revamped to bring much needed medical services to the people. 53. Rights of the minorities: Discrimination and abuses against minorities and vulnerable groups continue unabated. Somali minorities such as the Benadir/Rer Hamar, Midgan (Gadoye) and Tomal, in particular the African Bantu/Jarir population, who have been traditionally discriminated against in Somali society, continue to face abuses and human rights violations because of their ethnic origin. During the Siad Barre regime, the vice-president was from the minority Tomal ethnicity, and the minorities were perceived to have enjoyed some protection. However when the regime collapsed and clan protection replaced State protection, the stronger clans managed to establish their own protection mechanisms leaving the weaker minority clans virtually unprotected. The fighting in South and Central region has adversely affected their ability to earn a livelihood as labourers, metalworkers, herbalists and hunters, their traditional occupation. C. Human rights situation in “Puntland” 54. In “Puntland”, the situation has become more volatile in recent months leading up to the elections. For example: • One civilian was killed and another injured in the evening of 24 October, when “Puntland” police opened fire on a public mini-bus in Bossaso. On 29 October,