A/HRC/25/45 5. The Prime Minister of Somalia noted that while Al-Shabaab had been weakened, the recent attacks on the Westgate shopping mall in Kenya were a reminder that there were still challenges in ensuring security in Somalia and in the region. He stated that a military solution to the situation in Somalia was not enough, and that all areas had to be addressed, including establishing the rule of law, revitalizing the economy, and providing education and employment opportunities for young people. The Prime Minister noted that amidst the challenges facing Somalia, his Government had made progress in the area of promoting and protecting human rights, for example by promoting participation rights for minorities via the abolishment of the 4.5 clan quota system, and by promoting women’s political participation including via appointments to key government positions. He noted that a bill to establish a national human rights commission had been drafted, and that the Government was in the process of implementing the recommendations from the universal periodic review of Somalia. He reported that a task force had been established to investigate attacks against journalists and killings of journalists. With regard to sexual and gender-based violence, he noted that the Government maintained a zero-tolerance policy. He added that the practice of female genital mutilation was not condoned under Islam, and as such, his Government would take steps to eradicate it. In order to address the question of impunity, efforts were under way to strengthen rule-of-law institutions and to tackle corruption. The Government had set up an initiative aimed at providing education for all Somalis, and planned to collaborate with the International Labour Organization to increase employment opportunities. The Prime Minister recognized the critical role that civil society and the diaspora were playing in reconstructing the country. He commended the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia on his efforts and his contribution to initiating the development of the road map, and reiterated that his Government was committed to undertaking a nationwide consultation when finalizing the road map. In conclusion, he expressed his Government’s gratitude to AMISOM for its support in fighting Al-Shabaab, and to UNSOM for providing support towards building and strengthening the various State institutions. 6. The Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia stated that the country had reached a critical juncture and was ready to move forward, but noted that in order to do so effectively, it would need the combined and coordinated support of the international community and civil society actors. He stated that reconstruction and reconciliation would be advanced by the establishment of a solid human rights protection system that would have the active support of the people of Somalia. He welcomed the adoption of the road map, and the decision by the Government to establish a human rights ministry to coordinate proper implementation of the road map. However, he reminded all present that more than twenty years of armed conflict had destroyed the social fabric and the basic social institutions that had kept Somalia together in the past. This had led to the creation of a deep-rooted culture of impunity and wanton disregard of authority, illustrated by the recent handling of some cases of alleged rape. The Independent Expert acknowledged that UNSOM had a strong human rights mandate, and urged close cooperation between UNSOM and OHCHR in supporting the implementation of the road map. He proposed that OHCHR should, in the future, consider a more dedicated, standalone role for the promotion and protection of human rights in Somalia. 7. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of UNSOM explained the mandate of UNSOM, particularly as it related to human rights, and summarized the efforts made to establish regional offices throughout the country. He stated that UNSOM would work together with the United Nations agencies in applying an integrated approach to addressing the human rights challenges in Somalia. He also said that UNSOM was expected to collaborate with AMISOM to provide policy advice to the Government on peace-building and state-building. In addition, UNSOM had started work on ensuring implementation of the human rights due diligence policy on United Nations 4