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UN rights expert calls for release of abducted staff member in Somalia

UN rights expert calls for release of abducted staff member in Somalia

The United Nations rights expert on Somalia today called for the immediate release of a UN staff member who was abducted in the Horn of Africa country last Thursday.

Ghanim Alnajjar, the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Somalia, said in a statement that the kidnapping of Rolf Helmrich "represents an infringement of the right to life, liberty and security of person" enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Mr. Helmrich, a German national, was taken about 45 kilometres north of Kismaayo in the Lower Juba region in Somalia's south.

Stressing that the international humanitarian community must be allowed to help the Somali people unhindered, the rights expert urged the group responsible for Mr. Helmrich's capture to release him safely without any pre-conditions.

"Especially at this moment when the Somali National Reconciliation Conference is moving forward, we must all work together to support efforts towards peace, stability and progress for the Somali people," he said.