Qatar called for greater international support for Somalia as the country works to strengthen security, state institutions and human rights protections.
Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Fakhro, Qatar’s Acting Chargé d’Affaires at the UN Office in Geneva, made the remarks during an interactive dialogue on UN assistance to Somalia at the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council.
Fakhro said Qatar continued to support Somalia’s government institutions and efforts to strengthen security and stability while safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said Somalia continued to face security, humanitarian and economic challenges that required stronger international cooperation and support for national efforts.
Fakhro also called for emergency humanitarian assistance to be linked with longer-term development programmes aimed at strengthening the resilience of Somali communities.
Qatar stressed the importance of political, legislative and executive reforms that involve different sections of Somali society, saying such measures were important for rebuilding state institutions, strengthening the rule of law and improving human rights protection.
Doha also welcomed an agreement between the Somali government and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish a human rights office in Somalia.
The office is expected to support national efforts to protect and promote human rights while taking into account priorities identified by the Somali government.
Fakhro also welcomed steps taken by Somalia to implement its Transitional Human Rights Plan for 2025-2026 and establish an independent national human rights commission.
He called for continued technical assistance to strengthen Somalia’s human rights institutions and support the country in meeting its national and international obligations.
Qatar had also reaffirmed its support for Somalia days earlier during a high-level meeting in New York, backing efforts to strengthen security and stability and preserve the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10