UN EXPERT ON SOMALIA WELCOMES ELECTION OF COUNTRY’S TRANSITIONAL PRESIDENT

15 October 2004

The United Nations Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia issued the following statement today:

The United Nations Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Dr Ghanim Alnajjar, welcomes the recent election of Mr Abdullahi Yusuf as the Transitional President of Somalia, by the Transitional Federal Parliament for Somalia.

The Independent Expert views the election of the Transitional President and the future
formation of a Transitional Federal Government as an important first phase in the long struggle to end human rights violations and uphold the rule of law in Somalia.

Dr Alnajjar commends all Somalis and the Government of Kenya, other Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries, as well as the international supporters of the Somali National Reconciliation Conference for their persistent two-year effort to bring peace to Somalia.

The Independent Expert also extends his commitment to supporting the protection and promotion of all human rights in Somalia, and reminds all parties that peace cannot prevail without fundamental respect for human rights.