A/HRC/21/61 D. Puntland 34. In Puntland, the Independent Expert visited Garoowe and the port city of Bossasso. In Garoowe, he was invited by the President of the Puntland State of Somalia, Abdirahman Mohamud Farole, to participate in the ceremony organized for the ratification of the transitional Constitution of Puntland by the regional constituent assembly. He subsequently met with President Farole and his Vice-President, Mr. Abdisamad. He held meetings with the Minister for Justice, the Minister for Security, the Chief of Justice and with Members of the High Judicial Council, as well as with the Police Commander and civil society organizations. He also visited the Garoowe Central Prison. 35. The Independent Expert complimented the President on the achievements of his Government since their previous meeting, in 2011. He acknowledged the President’s efforts in initiating and supporting a democratization process and moving towards a multiparty political system, demonstrated by the establishment of an electoral commission, which had facilitated the process leading to the enactment of a law on political association and the ratification of the transition Constitution. He also acknowledged the security challenges that Puntland faced in the light of reports of Al-Shabaab elements entering its territory as they fled from south-central Somalia. He emphasized, however, the need to accord suspects due process and their fair trial rights in accordance with the Puntland Constitution. 36. The Independent Expert commended the Puntland authorities for the gender-neutral language adopted in the recently ratified Constitution. He raised concerns, however, that some of its provisions did not comply with international human rights standards and principles. He expressed the hope that the concerns raised by UNPOS on certain articles would be addressed with a view to strengthening the Constitution. 37. In November 2011, the Puntland legislature passed the Human Rights Defender Act, although a human rights defender has yet to be appointed. The Independent Expert urged the President to operationalize the Office for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights in Puntland by ensuring a transparent selection process for a suitable individual to occupy the position, for instance through a public call for applications. 38. The Independent Expert conveyed his concern to the President about the practice of the appointment and dismissal of judges, which, left to the exclusive discretion of the executive and the legislature, was likely to affect the independence of the judiciary. He hoped that measures would be taken to ensure that such decisions were taken in consultation with an independent legal authority. He suggested the involvement of the High Judicial Council in reviewing and recommending appointments and the dismissal of judicial officers. He also appealed to the President to consider abolishing the death penalty or at least to commit to a moratorium on all executions, in keeping with the commitments made by Somalia during the universal periodic review.3 39. The Independent Expert also conveyed his concerns to the Puntland authorities about the enactment of the Circumcision law, which outlawed pharaonic circumcision but allowed other forms of female genital mutilation. He urged that the law be amended to prohibit all forms of female genital mutilation in accordance with article 18(2) of the Constitution of Puntland, which guaranteed every person the right to the protection of their body and integrity, and also in accordance with international human rights standards. A commitment in this regard was made during the universal periodic review for Somalia in 2011. 3 8 A/HRC/18/6.