Over the past years, Somalia has increased its efforts on its legal framework, namely laws and legally-binding regulations, which is related also to the States.
Laws and regulations on Private Security Companies are significant for effective protection of port and coastal infrastructure security, Counter-terrorism Law is significant for tackling acts of maritime terrorism used as a tool of warfare and Law on Arms Control is relevant for restricting access to guns, which may be used for actions affecting maritime security.
How to ensure compliance of national Laws with International best practices?
At the end of March, EUCAP Somalia held a two-day workshop on legislative drafting techniques with focus on Puntland security legislation.
The purpose of the workshop was to promote compliance of the newly drafted laws with International best practices and human rights standards, with specific attention given to maritime security matters. The workshop aimed to contribute to effectiveness of new legislative solutions and its harmonisation with federal legal system.
The workshop facilitated discussion on the content of the legislation at hand in order to ensure its effectiveness, comprehensiveness and compliance with the principles of legislative techniques and international best practices and standards. In particular, participation of EUCAP-Somalia’s advisers promoted understanding of international standards for police investigations of serious crimes, human rights norms and gender equality principles.
The workshop was attended by Puntland governmental employees and representatives of civil society working on the concept of reforming the legislative framework for internal security in Puntland which focus on reforming laws related to terrorism, private security companies, and possession of firearms.
Participants actively engaged themselves in an interactive and vivid discussion and asked EUCAP Somalia Field Office Garowe advisers numerous questions related to legislative techniques and to the relevant policies and examples from EU countries.
The workshop received positive feedback from the audience: “This is an excellent opportunity to explain various challenges in relation to human rights that the fight against terrorists could bring” said Farah from OPHRD and “The discussion demonstrated how important is the knowledge of legislative techniques by people who draft the law. Thank you EUCAP” stated Abdirahman from MoJCRAR.
