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48th Session of the Human Rights Council. Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia

The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado, intervened today at the Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Ms. Isha Dyfan, during the 48th Session of the Human Rights Council.

Ambassador Cornado commended Somalia for its commitment to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights and its engagement with the international human rights system, including the UN Treaty Bodies and the UPR mechanism. He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of Somalia to address the impact of COVID-19 within the difficult context of prolonged armed conflict and ongoing dire humanitarian situation.

In the light of the alarming increase in reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence against women and children amid the pandemic, Ambassador Cornado encouraged Somalia to strengthen the efforts to keep on promoting gender equality and combat all forms of gender-based violence, as well as to prevent violations and abuses against children. He also reiterated Italy’s concern about ongoing violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law such as child early and forced marriages; female genital mutilation; recruitment and use of children in armed conflict and their detention; application of the death penalty; attacks, arrests and harassment against human rights defenders and journalists and media workers.

Lastly, while renewing the call on the Somali Authorities to implement the country’s human rights obligations, Ambassador Cornado reiterated that Italy fully supports the mandate of the Independent Expert.