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UN urges Puntland to protect human rights during anti-ISIS operations
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    Tuesday May 20, 2025


    UN human rights officials meet with Puntland police leadership in Garowe on May 19, 2025, to discuss rights protections during counterterrorism operations. 

    Garowe (HOL) — The United Nations has urged Puntland authorities to ensure human rights protections are upheld during ongoing security operations targeting the Islamic State-linked militant group in northeastern Somalia.

    The call came during a high-level meeting on Monday between officials from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and Puntland security leaders in Garowe. The discussions focused on safeguarding civilian rights, the handling of detainees, and preventing child recruitment by armed groups.

    Puntland was represented by Deputy Police Commissioner Gen. Aydeed Ahmed Nur, while the UN delegation included senior members of the OHCHR’s counterterrorism division. UN officials received a detailed briefing on Puntland’s practices for detaining suspects captured in anti-ISIS operations, as well as the region’s broader human rights challenges.

    Both parties agreed to enhance cooperation to ensure that all security measures align with international human rights standards.

    The visit follows growing concern from Isha Dyfan, the UN’s Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Somalia, who warned that the country’s political transition is creating instability that threatens basic freedoms.

    Dyfan also condemned the militant group Al-Shabaab for what she described as “systematic and grave violations” against civilians, including children. She accused the group of fueling instability and prolonging conflict across Somalia.

    The UN has repeatedly urged Somali authorities to balance national security measures with the protection of fundamental human rights, particularly in regions affected by armed conflict.

     





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