A/HRC/48/11
Introduction
1.
The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with
Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-eighth session from 3 to 14 May 2021.
The review of Somalia was held at the 8th meeting, on 6 May 2021. The delegation of
Somalia was headed by the Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations
Office and other international organizations in Geneva. At its 14th meeting, held on 11 May
2021, the Working Group adopted the report on Somalia.
2.
On 12 January 2021, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of
rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Somalia: Denmark, Malawi and Poland.
3.
In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution
5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were
issued for the review of Somalia:
(a)
A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with
paragraph 15 (a);1
(b)
A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b); 2
(c)
A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c). 3
4.
A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Canada, Germany, Liechtenstein,
Panama, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national mechanisms for
implementation, reporting and follow-up, the Republic of Moldova, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States
of America was transmitted to Somalia through the troika. These questions are available on
the website of the universal periodic review.
I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process
A.
Presentation by the State under review
5.
The delegation stated that Somalia was a strong advocate for the promotion and
protection of human rights as an inherent component of its democracy. In that respect,
Somalia had achieved significant milestones in the previous four years. The Federal
Government of Somalia had submitted State party reports to three treaty bodies. It had also
ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in 2019, bringing the
number of core international human rights treaties ratified by Somalia to six, with
consultations ongoing for an additional three treaties.
6.
Despite the human rights challenges faced, the Federal Government had taken
important steps forward. It sustained focus on institutional capacity-building and reforms,
including security sector reform, which would consolidate efforts to attain sustainable peace
and security. The Federal Government was working in cooperation with the federal member
states on that momentous task, and on ensuring that human rights were anchored at the heart
of security sector reform and rule of law priority areas.
7.
The mainstreaming of rights-based approaches in related processes was imperative
for Somalia, which was determined to consolidate peace, security and the mainstreaming of
human rights priorities and principles. The Government was also developing a
comprehensive policy framework to safeguard civilians in the context of security operations.
8.
Progress had been made towards the establishment of a federal system of government
and sound fiscal and monetary systems. That allowed the Federal Government to better
manage national financial revenues and frameworks, which would increase service delivery.
1
2
3
2
A/HRC/WG.6/38/SOM/1.
A/HRC/WG.6/38/SOM/2.
A/HRC/WG.6/38/SOM/3.