A/HRC/42/62
98.
The Independent Expert was informed by representatives of the Gaboye minority
clan that their land and businesses had been taken over or sold to people from larger clans.
A communication to that effect had been sent to the Government.
6.
Access to education, health and water
99.
On 13 July 2019, the Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund launched
a multi-year programme (2019–2022) with a budget of $64 million to increase access to
quality education for more than 54,000 children and young persons affected by the ongoing
crises in Somaliland.8 Although access to education has improved, the quality of education
remains a challenge. While primary education is supposed to be free, parents are still
charged hidden fees.
100. The Independent Expert was informed that access to health care in Somaliland was
expensive and scarce. While there have been some improvements regarding access to water
and sanitation, water scarcity is also a major concern due to climate change and drought.
Hargeysa does not have adequate clean water, because of the city’s expansion.
7.
Rights of internally displaced persons and refugees
101. There is a vacuum in the legal framework to protect internally displaced persons in
Somaliland. They lack access to basic health services, education, land, shelter and
employment. They face eviction from the land upon which they are squatters. Women and
girls face multiple violations of their rights and are subjected to sexual and gender-based
violence.
III. Recent developments
102. On 27 February 2019 and 19 June 2019, the IGAD Council of Ministers and
representatives of the African Union, the European Union, China, Egypt, France, Japan, the
Russian Federation, Turkey and the United States agreed to adopt a collective approach to
strengthen regional cooperation so as to harmonize and develop a common position to
protect security and economic interests, including maritime security, migration, the fight
against terrorism, the prevention of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, pollution
and the dumping of toxic waste in certain waters of the IGAD region, in the context of the
geopolitical and security dynamic of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden area.
103. This initiative deserves the practical support of the international community.
Somalia has a long coastline, which provides plenty of opportunities to exploit its maritime
resources through investment under the envisioned regional cooperation. Besides
consolidating peace, it would contribute to the economic development of Somalia.
104. Once peace is achieved, businesses currently operating and investing in Somalia will
be able to benefit from the newly acquired peaceful atmosphere. However, the Independent
Expert is concerned that the present lack of economic opportunities for young persons
breeds marginalization and forces them to migrate out of the country, or into violent
extremism. Somalia needs support and investments for its nascent economy, particularly in
agriculture, livestock farming and fishing.
IV. Conclusion
105. Notwithstanding the significant progress in the security, political and human
rights landscape, many human rights challenges remain. Insecurity remains the main
problem. The Somali people have endured conflict for almost three decades, which
has exacerbated vulnerabilities and eroded social values and institutions. The support
8
See www.educationcannotwait.org/somaliland-education-cannot-wait-and-unicef-launch-multi-yearprogramme-to-provide-education-to-more-than-54000-children-affected-by-crises.
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