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Human Rights Improve in Somalia, Big Challenges Remain

by Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA --

   A report finds significant improvement is being made in human rights in
   Somalia, but it notes huge challenges to continued progress, compounded
   by conflict, drought and poverty, remain to be overcome.

   The report, which has been submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council
   in Geneva, says both natural and man-made factors are to blame for
   ongoing human rights abuses in Somalia. A major concern is the
   violation of the right to life. The report says Al-Shabab militants are
   killing military personnel and civilians through improvised explosives,
   ambushes, assassinations and other random attacks.

   It also blames fighting between clan militias for civilian casualties.
   And the report notes severe drought conditions in the country are
   contributing to a dire situation.

   Drought, poverty

   Bahame Tom Nyanduga is the Independent Expert on human rights in
   Somalia and author of the report. He says drought has caused widespread
   displacement as people search for food for themselves and their cattle.
   He says food shortages have led to increased child malnutrition and
   death. Growing poverty, he warns, is putting entire communities at risk
   of exploitation.

   "Somali youth have continued to fall victims of human traffickers due
   to lack of opportunity in the country, and many of them have ended up
   in slavelike conditions in some transit countries, while trying to
   cross the treacherous Mediterranean and the Sinai routes to Europe," he
   said. "Recently, human traffickers abandoned tens of Somali youths in
   the Red Sea off the Yemen coast, tragically leading to loss of life to
   several of the victims."

   Rights of women

   Nyanduga also expresses concern about the rights of women. He says they
   are victimized by harmful traditional practices. He also says sexual
   and gender-based violence are prevalent and cases of gang rape of girls
   and women by youths and unknown armed men in uniform continue to be
   reported and go unpunished.

   He also criticizes the lack of freedom of expression and attacks on
   journalists and other media professionals. The Independent Expert urges
   the government of Somalia to strengthen its laws and judicial system to
   better promote and protect human rights.