Radio Mogadishu

Feburary 25^th, 2011. 2:50PM EST

Countries Ignore the Issue of Somalia

Bazinga

Radio Mogadishu

            The Human Rights Council debate of yesterday went unexpectedly cold-hearted and off topic. Though the topic was human rights in Somalia, delegates seemed to think they were in an “Economy and Profit Council”.

            The Democratic Republic of the Congo used most of their speaking time expressed their concern with the resources, such as uranium, of Somalia being prevented from being sold on the world market due to terrorism. The DRC also put across their distress that, I quote, “Somalia poses a threat to the Congo”, and is a “growing threat to our security”. The DRC is afraid that that Somalia poses a risk of spreading international terrorism throughout southern Africa. Although these concerns seem shallow and only economy-oriented, the DRC did express some concern that the danger posed by Al-Shabaab is preventing relief groups from being sent to Somalia.

            Kenya did speak a word of concern for the health and living conditions of Somali’s. Instead, Kenya only discussed their fear of their own economic failure due to Somalia’s hardships, such as Kenyan ships not being able to go through the trade routes in Somali waters. Kenya was only concerned about the loss of profit because of the terrorism on the ocean, which will effect Kenyan trade routes and therefore, Kenyan economy. These are important issues, for Kenya, but these points do not address the area of focus of the debate – Human Rights in Somalia.

            The country that seems most concerned with their own economy, and least concerned with human rights in Somalia, was indeed the United Kingdom. The one and only concern this delegate had was the profit being lost due to UK oil tankers being hijacked by Somali pirates. The UK had a very cold and non-humane approach to human rights. Most of the delegate’s speech was about the UK’s anger towards the pirates for stealing their oil, and the UK’s demands for immediate prevention of piracy in Somalia. Though the delegate demanded for action towards prevention, the UK did not propose any plan of action.

            Though most countries in this council did not have much to say about human rights in Somalia, Colombia had much to say on the real issue. Colombia spoke very humanely, and saw Somalia for the state that it is in. Colombia was concerned about human rights and the lives of Somali’s, and expressed their willingness to help. Colombia did say a few caring words about the situation, and recognized to the whole council that Somalia does need help.  Germany on the other hand, was obviously not prepared to speak about Somalia, or human rights for that matter. Germany had absolutely nothing to say on the matter.

            What the Human Rights Council needs to do is to unite with each other on the issue at hand, and focus on finding a solution to improve human rights for the Somali people. Hopefully the countries can pull together and make a difference for Somalia before this conference reaches its conclusion.