Human Rights Council 51th session
Item 10 - Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia
Nordic-Baltic Intervention
5 October 2022
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries: Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and my own country Iceland.
We welcome the successful completion of the electoral process and peaceful transition of power in Somalia. However, many serious challenges remain, including with regard to human rights.
We are deeply concerned with the increasing number of internally displaced persons due to drought and conflict. People on the move, particularly women, girls and children, are especially vulnerable to human rights violations and abuse, not least sexual and gender-based violence.
We remain seriously concerned about the increase in violence against women and girls and encourage the Government of Somalia to adopt and implement sexual offenses legislation in line with international standards. It is key that women are supported and perpetrators held to account. In this regard, we reiterate our call on the Government of Somalia to ratify CEDAW.
Lastly, we underscore the importance of adopting a constitution in line with Somalia’s human rights obligations and ensure that the human rights of all Somalis are respected, protected and fulfilled.
Ms. Dyfan; how can we best support you in your mandate?
Thank you.