AU Commission Trains ATMIS Personnel On Protection Of Human Rights In Armed Conflict

MOGADISHU, Somalia,29 – The African Union Commission (AUC), has concluded a five-day training to equip personnel of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) with the necessary knowledge to ensure compliance with international legal instruments on human rights.

The training was held under the African Union Compliance and Accountability Framework project for peace support operations, supported by the African Union (AU), European Union (EU and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The ATMIS Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Diomede Ndegeya, said the training was timely, and will help to ensure compliance with the International Humanitarian Law and the International Human Rights Law.

“The engagement of ATMIS in asymmetric warfare has high potential risk to the safety of civilians in its areas of operations. This heightens the need to ensure that all personnel serving in the mission uphold the highest standards of conduct and accountability in the implementation of their mandate,” said Lt. Gen. Ndegeya.

Acting Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Fiona Lortan, who spoke at the closing of the training, said ATMIS has taken steps to ensure compliance with international human rights laws and obligations pertaining to armed conflict.

“The obligations are spelt out in the ATMIS Rules of Engagement, Indirect Fire Policy to minimize the impact of civilian casualties during military operations, Force Commander’s directives, ATMIS standard operating procedures on the treatment of detainees, and ATMIS zero tolerance police on sexual exploitation and abuse,” Lortan added.

The training which was conducted by officials from AUC and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, was attended by ATMIS civilian, military and police personnel.

Among the topics covered at the training included International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law, the protection of women, children, refugees and internally displaced persons and all the applicable standards of conduct and discipline.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Daniel Okello said that the training had enriched their knowledge on issues related to compliance and accountability.

“We pledge that all AU peace support operations personnel shall always observe and respect issues of compliance and accountability,” said ASP Okello.

The UN security council resolution 2628 underscores the importance of the African Union Compliance Framework in enhancing compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law.