The UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia has urged the central government to improve health care services, end child marriage and ensure protection of journalists.
At the end of a six-day visit to the country, Isha Dyfan acknowledged the steps taken by the authorities and humanitarian partners to implement an Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan and provide food, water and other essential items to support IDP populations in Baidoa and other areas of the country.
The UN expert called on the international community to ensure access to basic social services including drinking water, sanitation facilities, housing, health care education for all children, in particular girls. She also urged the Government to expand the delivery of public health services, in light of the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, and increase funding for its health system.
“Access to health care remains dangerously low in the country,” Dyfan told journalists in Mogadishu at the end of her visit on 2 April.
“There is only one government hospital in the capital, Mogadishu, and people often have to seek health care services at a private health facility and pay out of their own pocket very high amounts for their own treatment. Only a few people can afford these services, thereby leading to high child and maternal mortality.”
She also called on the authorities to end forced and child marriages.
Dyfan said she was concerned by arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists by security personnel across the country and reiterated the importance of respecting the right to freedom of expression and opinion.
The UN expert met State officials, representatives of humanitarian organisations and civil society, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and UN agencies, funds and programmes.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
