A/HRC/13/65
page 24
103. The independent expert is concerned about the suspension of the humanitarian
assistance, in particular the discontinuation of the food distribution following the
restrictions of humanitarian access imposed by extremist armed groups on WFP. The
United Nations should continue its efforts to keep the long-standing humanitarian crisis in
Somalia under international focus. He reiterates his call to the Human Rights Council to
reconsider holding a special session on Somalia and calls upon thematic special procedures
to consider focusing upon aspects of the situation in Somalia that pertain to their respective
mandates.
104. Given the special circumstances of Somalia, he urges UNHCR to consider extending
education facilities for Somali refugees beyond the high-school level. Somalia will need
trained people to fill the Government jobs that will open up when circumstances change.
UNHCR should also seek more scholarships for higher studies for Somali refugees.
F. For the international community
105. The international community should substantially increase its financial and technical
support to the Transitional Federal Government to fulfil its many responsibilities beyond
the security sector. The Government needs support in undertaking key reforms to establish
rule of law and good governance. Its success in this regard is fundamental to its success in
cementing peoples’ support, while such support would in turn help fight insurgency.
106. He urges all donor Governments to respond generously to the consolidated appeal of
the United Nations agencies for funds to implement its activities in Somalia. The
independent expert was saddened to learn that in 2009 it remained largely underfunded.
Despite its many shortcomings, the United Nations is doing a formidable job in Somalia
against tremendous odds. It is the main lifeline for many and deserves to be assisted
adequately. Furthermore, he calls on all Governments to provide scholarships for Somali
refugee students. Somalia will need such students when peace returns.
107. Piracy, mixed migrations and related human trafficking and terrorism remain major
concerns in Puntland and Somaliland. As warned by United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime, the continued instability in Somalia is transforming East Africa into “a free
economic zone for all sorts of trafficking: drugs, migrants, guns”.5 The independent expert
therefore urges the international community to deal with the realities on the ground of
these phenomena with the seriousness they deserve. There are thousands of young men and
girls in Somalia who are unemployed, uneducated and desperate. In this context, the
combined efforts of the maritime powers to fight the menace militarily are unlikely to stop
piracy. The time has come to explore and implement a comprehensive approach that
incorporates a genuine political and economic solution for Somalia.
5
Address by Antonio Maria Costa to the Security Council on 8 December 2009. Available from
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/about-unodc/speeches/2009-08-12-africa-under-attack.html.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents