Mogadishu – Investigators and prosecutors this week received training on crime scene management and criminal procedures as part of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia’s (UNSOM) support for the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts to improve rule of law.

The workshop, jointly organized and facilitated by UNSOM and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, from 11-13 November, was attended by, among others, the Federal Attorney General Dr. Abdulkadir M. Musa, Col. Mohamed Khalif Farah, a representative of the Criminal Investigation Division and UNSOM’s Chief of Joint Justice and Correction Section (JJCS) Ms Mitch Dufresne.

Among the workshop’s objectives were: to build better relationships between investigators and prosecutors; to improve the capacity of the participants in crime-scene management and case preparation for better prosecution and to familiarise participants with the basic rights of the accused in the Somalia Constitution, Sharia and International standards.

Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Dufresne pointed out UNSOM’s role and mandate in supporting and strengthening the Somali police and justice sector in accordance with international human rights standards. She further underscored UNSOM’s commitment to working with the FGS to build a culture of rule of law in Somalia.

She also emphasized the necessity for all the links in the justice system chain to work in order to achieve justice, including professional and comprehensive investigations and gathering of evidence, both of which are necessary for competent prosecution.

Col. Farah encouraged the participants to benefit from the training and use this opportunity to improve their skills and knowledge.

“This training is the first of its kind we have seen so far in Somalia where we have police and prosecutors in training together, and I hope this will not be the last,” said Dr. Musa.