The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet has warned the federal government of Somalia against new draft law dubbed sexual intercourse saying it will risk legitimizing child marriage.
The former Chilean President cautioned that the new law drafted by federal parliament and debated on Saturday risks legitimizing child marriage, among other alarming practices in the horn of the African nation if approved violating international human rights laws.
“Provisions of the Sexual Intercourse Related Crimes Law constitute serious breaches of international human rights norms and standards,” Bachelet said.
She called upon the federal parliament of Somalia to drop the controversial bill but instead adopt sexual offenses bill approved by the government of Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire in 2018.
“I strongly urge the Somali authorities to swiftly adopt the 2018 Sexual Offenses Bill, unanimously endorsed by the Council of Ministers, and put in place a comprehensive strategy and effective legislation to eliminate practices and harmful gender stereotypes that have a disproportionately negative impact on women and girls,” added Bachelet.
Human rights advocacy groups have and activists in the country have also urged President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo not to assent the bill into law if the parliament goes ahead with its approval.
