A/HRC/10/85 page 17 two suicide bombers blew up cars at “Puntland” security services headquarters in Bossasso, killing one police officer, and injuring five others. Although the attack was simultaneous with the attack in Hargeisa (see below), United Nations offices were not targeted. • In the ongoing inter-clan violence affecting Galkayo, a North Galkayo businessman was killed by two unknown gunmen on 7 October 2008. • “Puntland” security forces attacked a pirate ship off the Somali coast on 12 October, killing two alleged pirates and wounding four. The ship was finally taken over by the security forces after a second liberation attempt on 14 October. The crew is reportedly unharmed. “Puntland” authorities announced that judicial procedures against the pirates would be initiated. D. Human rights situation in “Somaliland” 55. In one of the worst incidents in recent times, Al Shabaab attacked the UNDP compound in Hargeisa on 29 October, killing 4, including 2 United Nations national staff members and severely wounding 10 others. This was one in a concerted series of attacks in “Somaliland” and “Puntland”, also targeting the presidential palace and the Ethiopian diplomatic mission in Hargeisa and the headquarters of the “Puntland” security services in Bossasso. As a result, the United Nations had to relocate all international staff out of “Somaliland” until the situation could be reassessed. In “Puntland”, staff ceilings were reduced as well. Since the attack, all United Nations human rights operations inside Somalia have been impeded and had not resumed at the time of drafting this report. 56. On a more positive note, the “Somaliland” President, Dahir R. Kahin, pardoned 815 prisoners incarcerated in different regions of the country, including in Mandhera Central prison, and released 104 minors from detention returning them to the care of their families and communities. V. SOME REFLECTIONS ON THE MANDATE IN RELATION TO SOMALIA 57. It is evident that the international regime for the protection of human rights and humanitarian law in Somalia is one of the most challenged in the world. Almost two decades of armed conflicts and the consequent absence of law and order have given rise to a culture of impunity. As a result, citizens have suffered one of the longest and most brutal humanitarian crises in the world. The only protection they are able to seek is from the traditional clan structure, which does not provide adequate protection against most serious violations and abuses, particularly for victims belonging to a minority. 58. In this context, I have often wondered whether there is much scope for me to play a meaningful role as the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia. My difficulties are compounded by the imposition of travel restrictions for security reasons. How does one assess the situation on the ground effectively without visiting the country and talking to people? There are times, therefore, that I have felt frustrated and questioned myself whether I was adding any value. Even if I am able to visit some parts of the country, as I did during my