UN rights expert hails peace process

Mona Rishmawi, the UN’s Independent Expert on Human Rights in Somalia, said this week she was “heartened” that the Somali National Peace Conference in Djibouti was moving “steadily towards reconciliation”. But she also cited concern at reports of measures taken against individuals supporting the peace process. Rishmawi cited reports that some 25 people from Puntland in the northeast had been arrested in neighbouring Somaliland as they attempted to travel to join the Djibouti talks, and forced to turn back home. “This unusual cooperation between the two rival administrations of Puntland and Somaliland against the peace process causes much concern,” Rishmawi said. She cited reports that demonstrations in favour of the peace initiative had been violently broken up Puntland, and that supporting the process was considered treasonous, “punishable by death or life imprisonment”, in Somaliland. Rishmawi urged the Somali delegates in Djibouti to ensure that appropriate measures were taken to ensure that victims of the conflict received justice, and that the rule of law and human rights were ensured in the future.