UN expert urges Somalia to strengthen security and judicial response to GBV

Dyfan called for a robust system to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of such crimes.

The Somali Government must intensify its efforts to tackle the nation's severe and intricate security challenges and enhance mechanisms for investigating and prosecuting cases of sexual and gender-based violence, according to a statement made today by a UN human rights expert.

During her third official visit to Somalia, Isha Dyfan, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the country, expressed concerns over the devastating impact of violence on civilians, particularly women and children. She attributed this violence to terrorist activities by Al-Shabaab and actions by other forces, including Somali security personnel and local clan militias, which also harm civilian lives and infrastructure.

“I applaud the government's strategic plans for the security sector moving forward, but I stress the need for careful management of the security transition to avoid further violence and human rights infringements,” Dyfan noted.

She emphasized the critical need for effective action against sexual and gender-based violence, highlighting disturbing reports of rape and gang rapes associated with homicides. Dyfan called for a robust system to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of such crimes.

"It is essential to implement all necessary measures to boost capacities for investigating and prosecuting sexual and gender-based violence. We must foster a safe environment where victims can report crimes without fear of retaliation or stigmatization, ensuring their protection and access to justice and effective remedies,” Dyfan urged.

Dyfan also voiced her deep concern about the ongoing constraints on civic freedoms, including the harassment and unjust detention of journalists and media workers, which lead to self-censorship. She stressed the importance of a secure and inclusive civic space to support good governance, the rule of law, and violence reduction.

She praised recent legislative progress made with the successful amendment of the first four chapters of the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Government of Somalia, which aims to bolster democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.

Dyfan concluded by appealing to the international community to continue supporting Somalia in strengthening its Federal and State institutions to uphold the rule of law and human rights. She also called for increased international humanitarian assistance and efforts to build long-term resilience to mitigate the impacts of recurring humanitarian and climate crises in Somalia.