UN Human Rights Council 57: Introduction of Assistance to Somalia

Thank you, Mr President.

The UK is proud to present this draft resolution, in partnership with Somalia, to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on Somalia.

We welcome Somalia's ongoing commitment to improving the protection of human rights, noting, in particular, the formation of an inter-ministerial technical working group on human right and the passing of the Disability Rights Bill in August. We commend Somalia for its continued engagement with the Independent Expert and a range of international mechanisms, including this Council. Somalia's engagement with the various human rights mechanisms emanating from this Council over many years is exemplary.

Mr President, Somalia continues to face many challenges on a range of fronts, and we encourage the government to continue implementing human rights protections for the most vulnerable. It is by being open with these challenges and working on them alongside partners that Somalia demonstrates its commitment to building a better future for the people of Somalia.

We are of the opinion that technical assistance and capacity building should be flexible and based on the needs of the country concerned. Technical assistance and capacity building is not a linear process. As joint penholder, we have heard the call from our Somali partners that they want to take the next step in their engagement with a range of stakeholders, including OHCHR, the international community and the UN when it comes to meeting their human rights obligations. The resolution addresses this call and begins a transition process towards that engagement.

Mr President,

The UK will always be ready to help. We want to be a true friend to Somalia. It is clear the international community must continue to strengthen our combined support to Somalia. This resolution does exactly that, and we count on the support of the members of this Council.