Speech

UN Human Rights Council 48: Universal Periodic Review Adoption – Somalia

The UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French, delivered this statement during the Universal Periodic Review Adoption for Somalia.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Rita French
Published
1 October 2021
Location:
Geneva, Switzerland
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Rita French

Thank you, Madam President.

The United Kingdom welcomes Somalia’s engagement with the UPR process and wider cooperation with international partners on human rights challenges. However, we remain concerned by the lack of substantial progress, particularly on sexual and gender-based violence and violations against children, which has been exacerbated by delays to the electoral process and the ongoing political crisis. We urge Somalia’s leaders to de-escalate tensions, engage in mediation and focus on delivering peaceful and inclusive elections, where a minimum of 30% of Parliamentary seats go to women, in accordance with the 2020 and 2021 electoral agreements.

We are pleased with Somalia’s acceptance of the UK’s recommendations to:

  1. Adopt the 2018 Sexual Offences Bill urgently;
  2. Establish an independent National Human Rights Commission;
  3. Pass legislation allowing humanitarian organisations to operate within a clear framework and enable the Federal Government of Somalia to work towards the removal of illegal checkpoints and multiple demands of taxation, to access those most in need.

We encourage Somalia to implement the accepted recommendations without delay and submit a mid-term report ahead of its next review. The UK reiterates its commitment to work constructively with Somalia to strengthen human rights and democracy to enable long-term peace and stability.

Thank you.

Published 1 October 2021