The UK has voiced concerns over Somalia's draft Penal Code, highlighting provisions that could potentially weaken protections for children and restrict freedom of expression and media freedom. The UK stated that these aspects fall short of international human rights obligations.
During the 63rd Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UK urged Somalia to ensure that its Penal Code and related legislation strengthen, rather than weaken, rights protections. The UK also expressed concern about reported differentiation between the age of “maturity” and the age of “responsibility,” stressing that the rights of all individuals under 18 must be fully protected.
The UK welcomed Somalia’s support for all three of its recommendations made during its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) earlier this year and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Somalia in implementing these recommendations. The UK also welcomed the establishment of the National Independent Human Rights Commission and encouraged the Federal Government of Somalia to provide the necessary support for its independent and effective operation.