Human Rights Council 52nd Session of the Universal Periodic Review – Somalia

Mr President,

We warmly welcome the delegation from Somalia.

We commend the progress made by Somalia over recent years, including on the establishment of the National Independent Human Rights Commission, and efforts to address the rights of vulnerable groups, for example through the introduction of the National Disability Act (2024). We remain concerned by ongoing human rights abuses.  

New Zealand recommends that Somalia:

1.  Institute a moratorium on executions and move toward the abolition of the death penalty. 
2. Ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
3. Develop comprehensive federal gender-based violence legislation that criminalizes all forms of gender-based violence, including marital rape.
4. Conduct effective and impartial investigations into allegations of threats or violence against journalists, media workers and human rights defenders, including online.

We thank the delegation for their participation today and wish them a successful review.

Thank you Mr President.