A/HRC/18/6
Constitution. It made recommendations and called on the international community of
donors to aim for action on the ground, especially on the issue of security.
64.
Pakistan stated that it was imperative for international community to support the
efforts of TFG to end conflict. It noted with appreciation the TFG commitment to improve
the living standards of its people by providing education and health services. Pakistan
expressed its hope that constitutional-making process, which was started in difficult
circumstances, would be concluded soon. It made recommendations.
65.
The United States of America expressed concerns about civilian casualities and use
of children in armed conflict by all parties; reports of summary executions; forced
marriages of young children; discrimination based on religious beliefs and practice and the
prevalence of child labour. It commended the TFG for its efforts to establish a commission
focused on ending child soldier recruitment and requested an update on these efforts. It
made recommendations.
66.
Islamic Republic of Iran noted that Somalia’s situation does not fit the general
approach of the UPR since the process generally involves the review of human rights
record of a Government in a normal situation and the TFG must deal with human rights
violations that are not of its making. It noted that at this crucial juncture, the international
community must continue funding all relevant United Nations activities. It made
recommendations.
67.
The delegation of Somalia replied to a number of questions. Somalia stated that it
was not considering the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,
while it was considering the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the
Convention on Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. The individual complaint procedure
of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights will need further study. Somalia
will not extend a standing invitation to special procedures but it will consider agreeing on
the invitation for the Special Rapporteur on violence against women. As a signatory to the
1949 Geneva Conventions, Somalia had an obligation to respect international humanitarian
law.
68.
Somalia needed international assistance by international legal experts to train
security force on the respect of human rights and to reform its penal code. The principles of
proportionality, distinction and precaution must be respected in the conduct of military
operations.
69.
Somalia stated that it was considering the inclusion of a specific crime in the Penal
Code regarding female genital mutilation. More in general, the Government was committed
to addressing the problem of violence against women.
70.
Regarding child soldiers, the High Level Committee issued very strict guidelines
against this phenomenon. While the Committee did not find evidence of the presence of
child soldiers in the army, it decided that any child found in the security forces should be
released immediately.
71.
The Government gave instructions to security forces to ensure that journalists are
protected and it was willing to revise its media laws to bring them in line with international
obligations.
72.
Islam shall be the religion of the State and the sharia law the base of its legal system.
73.
The Government was also considering declaring a moratorium on the death penalty,
establishing an independent human rights commission and granting a broad amnesty to
foster reconciliation. However, war crimes and crimes against humanity will not be the
object of any amnesty. The only way to end the culture of impunity is to ensure
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