as delivered by Ambassador Eileen Donahoe
Geneva,
June 14, 2013
The United States looks forward to further discussion about human rights in Somalia at the Human Rights Council. We are committed to helping the Somalis establish transparent institutions that protect human rights, including their independent national human rights commission.
The Federal Government of Somalia should ensure that its national human rights commission is established in full consultation with civil society, national, regional, and international stakeholders and in line with the Paris Principles. Per the provisional constitution, the commission’s role is to raise awareness regarding, set implementation standards for, monitor, and investigate human rights. These functions are critical to improving the human rights environment in the country.
The United States also underscores the key role that security sector reform plays in the protection of civilians and their rights. We encourage the government and international community to focus security sector reform efforts on this area.
Protecting human rights is fundamental to ensuring the development of a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Somalia. The United States is committed to helping the new government improve protection for human rights.