UN EXPERT CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL FLOOD ASSISTANCE FOR SOMALIA AND APPEALS FOR EVEN-HANDED ENGAGEMENT TO FORESTALL CONFLICT

28 November 2006

The Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Ghanim Alnajjar, issued the following statement today:
"I am deeply concerned about the flash floods that are affecting southern Somalia. The rising flood waters are causing devastation to the Somali people and their livelihood and are hampering humanitarian relief efforts.
"This latest natural disaster to afflict Somalia has exacerbated the already serious humanitarian situation in the country, caused by drought conditions as well as conflict.

"The United Nations is providing emergency support, but much greater assistance to Somalia is needed. I call on the international community to urgently and generously assist strengthened flood relief efforts for Somalia.

"I am also very deeply concerned about the stalled peace talks between the Transitional Federal Institutions and the Union of Islamic Courts. I find the recent reports of a possible eruption of conflict very troubling and I urge both sides to return to negotiations as soon as possible as this is the best path to securing peace in the country and the region, and to protecting the human rights of Somali people.

"For the last sixteen years the people of Somalia have endured a multitude of natural disasters, grave humanitarian situations and violations to their human rights. As we have seen in the history of Somalia and the region, yet another conflict can only have a catastrophic effect on millions of people.

"I wish to strongly re-iterate the appeal that I made to Somali national actors and the international community at the Human Rights Council in September 2006 in Geneva about the gravity of the looming crisis. In the coming days and perhaps weeks, the international community will have a small window of opportunity to assist Somalia in avoiding an all-out conflict. Even-handed international engagement will be critical to protecting the human rights of Somalis and bringing peace and security to Somalia".