GENEVA – Somalia is showing resilience against persistent security, human rights and socio-economic challenges but needs continued international help as climate change and natural disasters compound suffering, loss of livelihood and rights violations, a UN expert said today. In her fourth report the Human Rights Council, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Isha Dyfan, highlighted ongoing insecurity. “The conflict between Al-Shabaab and the Somali authorities, with the support of allied regional and international forces, continues to have a devastating impact on civilians while deadly inter-clan conflicts over access to natural resources and political power also continue exposing civilians to increasing violence and displacement,” she said. Dyfan expressed deep concern that patterns of human rights violations persist unabated, particularly wit regard to the rights of women and children, internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities, people of minority clans and other vulnerable groups. She called on Federal Government to take concrete measures to ensure their protection. “I welcome positive steps that lay the foundations for a transition process to facilitate the implementation of Somalia’s national and international human rights obligations and commitments, including the human rights benchmarks and indicators. However, it is clear, that we should not lose sight of the reality on the ground that continues to have devastating effects on Somalia’s populations, particularly the vulnerable groups.” The Independent Expert called on the international community to continue its assistance to Somalia towards strengthening the Federal Government and member states human rights institutions and civil society organisations. “It is only through respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law that Somalia can make meaningful progress towards its peace and sustainable development goals.” Ms. Isha Dyfan (Sierra Leone) is the Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Somalia. The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. UN Human Rights, country page – Somalia For inquiries and media requests, please contact: Sandra Atchekpe, Human Rights Officer, atchekpe@un.org For media enquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org) or John Newland (john.newland@un.org) Follow news related to the UN"s independent human rights experts on X: @UN_SPExperts