UNHCR Mission from Mogadishu, Bosaso and Garowe visited the Ministry of Justice on 22nd May 2019. The meeting was convened at the Ministers office in attendance with the deputy minister, Director General, Ministry technical advisor and director of planning. Office of the Attorney General office and KAALO Program Manager.
UNHCR primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.
H.E Minister welcomed the mission warmly to the Ministry. He appreciated the support of UNHCR in collaboration with KAALO aid and development organization.
UNCHR senior protection advisor briefed the Ministry about the work of UNHCR in Somalia. He emphasized that UNHCR in Somalia mainly focuses on asylum and refugees. There is also protection and humanitarian assistance provided to IDP’s, returnees and homeless people.
UNHCR Mission appreciated the commitment of the Ministry in the justice sector as well its strengthened mechanism to deliver justice to Puntland citizen.
He mentioned that UNHCR is implementing a global strategy to engage government institutions to mainstream refugees and asylum seekers into their government agendas. Its very interesting that the ministry is already committed and UNHCR mission will have less worry to assert such efforts.
Following a meeting held on 22nd May 2019 at the Ministry of Justice between the Ministry and UNHCR team, it was suggested that a technical committee to discuss in detail the issues presented by the ministry and UNHCR mandates should come together to further deepen the areas highlighted in the meeting.
The aim of the meeting was to familiarize and work on ways of collaboration between UNHCR and the Ministry in the justice sector.
The Director General of the Ministry officially chaired the meeting and welcomed memebsr from both institutions warmly.
To make all members on board, Mr. Jelle Ministry technical advisor summarized the issues highlighted in the previous meeting. The issues raised included support of the implementation of the anti-rape act, establishment of justice information center, support of FGM program, expansion of legal aid service, support communication unit of the ministry and support implementation of the human trafficking act.
UNHCR Protection associate based in Mogadishu expressed how UNHCR work on its operational strategic objectives. He mentioned that UNHCR works under these strategic objectives which contribute to our global programming. He mentioned that they work on the areas of documentation and fair protection, self-reliance, basic service needs and durable solutions.
He emphasized that UNHCR work relies on data and information for programming. This means that UNHCR seeks support of activities that are show data in consistent with the needs.
He also mentioned that UNHCR works in conjunction with other UN agencies through UN Country team and they will advocate to address the needs of the ministry.
Remarks by Salim, Legal advisor
Salim welcomed the members and appreciated their efforts to build collaboration and extend the existing one with the Ministry. He solely emphasized that the issues raised the ministry are among their priority areas but will depend on the availability of funds and alignment with your mandate.
In addition to the issues raised, Salim expressed the need to strengthen Puntland Bar Association who in the long run will provide sustainable legal aid service for persons of concern and por host communities through pro-bono system.
Salim similarly highlighted the need to develop a hand book and reference guide manual for the implementation of human trafficking act and refugee act. Salim mentioned that there is no need to amend the act at this infant stage since there cab be many loopholes that will come across during its implementation.
REMARKS BY THE AGO
Abdikani Farah, from the Attorney General Office expressed that the OAG has some priorities needs such as data base management for the office, support implementation of the Human Trafficking act and infrastructure support in terms of vehicles and office equipment.
