Human rights situation in Somalia 'not promising', UN expert says

A United Nations expert on the human rights situation in Somalia said today the current circumstances were “not promising” but noted that the peace process provided an opportunity for Somalis to show their commitment to rights.

"Northwest Somalia (Somaliland) and northeast Somalia (Puntland) had shown improvement last year, but human rights in Somalia is complicated as some regions improve one year while others deteriorate," Ghanim Alnajjar said on his third annual fact-finding visit to the country since June 2001.

While in Somalia through 1 September, Mr. Alnajjar's two-person team will look into a variety of human rights-related issues, including the state of the judicial system, law enforcement and prison conditions, child soldiers, the status of women and displaced persons.

"Right now a lot depends on the peace process. The more human rights are considered at the talks, the higher the chance of peace. It is an opportunity for Somalis to show their commitment to human rights," Mr. Alnajjar said in reference to the ongoing Somalia National Reconciliation Conference at Mbagathi, Kenya.

He is expected to meet with a variety of diplomats, local authorities, civil society representatives and international organizations in Somalia as well as Nairobi, Kenya.