A/HRC/21/61 G. Treatment of prisoners 81. During his visit to Somalia, the Independent Expert visited several detention centres in Puntland and Somaliland. He found that, in a significant number of cases, detentions were either unlawful or arbitrary, with prisoners detained without a legal basis. He was also shocked to find women and girls detained for “disobeying” their parents or husband. Detention conditions were close to inhumane, and water and sanitation were frequently lacking. Ventilation was poor, with only small slits for windows. Prisons were overcrowded and stifling hot. Inmates slept on bare floor. The principle of separation between juveniles and adults, criminals and others was not always respected. Most inmates in Puntland and Mogadishu were accused of such serious crimes as murder, piracy or having links with alShabaab; for a significant number of cases, however, detentions appeared to be either unlawful or arbitrary. 82. The Independent Expert was unable to visit the prison in Mogadishu because of security reasons. He was subsequently informed, however, that a team composed of UNODC, the OHCHR/UNPOS Human Rights Unit and UNICEF had made an assessment of the Mogadishu Central Prison and held meetings with Government officials from various institutions within the criminal justice sector, including representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Religious Affairs and Endowment, Custodial Corps, and the judiciary. Members of the assessment team had also consulted with representatives of civil society and interviewed prisoners detained at the Mogadishu Central Prison. This is a welcome development. V. Other developments 83. The reporting period also witnessed greater engagement by the international community to take the road map forward. A number of important meetings were held, including the meeting of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, held in January 2012; the meeting of the International Contact Group on Somalia, held in Djibouti on 5 and 6 February 2012; the London Conference on Somalia, held on 23 February 2012; the Istanbul Conference on Somalia, held on 31 May and 1 June 2012; a meeting of the International Crisis Group, held on 2 and 3 July 2012 in Rome; and the Dubai meeting on 27 and 28 June 2012. The aim of the meetings was primarily to move the road map forward, bring the recalcitrant parties together, help resolve disagreements, offer support for the implementation of the road map and warn “spoilers” of adverse consequences. 84. Another important development was the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the Transitional Federal Government and OHCHR, on 11 May 2012. The memorandum aims at helping the Government to fulfil its commitment to uphold human rights and the rule of law in Somalia, to bring an end to the culture of violence and impunity, and to establish accountability. VI. Conclusions and recommendations 85. Recent developments in Somalia indicate that the country has reached a turning point in its tortuous recent history. Efforts by all concerned, including the United Nations, the African Union, AMISOM and the international community, have helped Somalia to move towards peace and normalcy. Whether this will actually be achieved within the time frame laid down by the road map depends on the leadership and people of Somalia. There are indications that the road map has progressed steadily in recent months. Challenges remain, however. The deadline of 20 August 15