Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert for Somalia, Ms. Isha Dyfan
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As Delivered by Kelly Billingsley
Human Rights Council – 51st Session
Thank you Madam Independent Expert for your presentation.
The United States welcomes the Federal Government of Somalia’s appointment of the cabinet in August and its ongoing work on political reconciliation. We look forward to our continued work with Somalia to promote and bolster human rights protections.
While we welcome the improving human rights situation, more steps are needed. We call on Somalia, including authorities in Somaliland, to release all persons arbitrarily or unlawfully detained. We also call on Somalia to continue efforts to end the unlawful use and recruitment of child soldiers.
The Federal Government of Somalia and its partners in Federal Member States and Somaliland should continue their efforts to create transparent democratic structures that protect human rights and hold abusers accountable.
I thank you.
Question: Madam Independent Expert, how can this body help the new administration build democratic institutions that more effectively protect human rights?