MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia on Tuesday commemorated International Human Rights Day with a national ceremony led by Second Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji, who highlighted the country’s significant progress in restoring and strengthening human rights protections after decades of conflict.
The event, held in Mogadishu and organized by the Ministry of Family Affairs and Human Rights, brought together senior government officials, civil society groups, youth representatives, and international partners. This year’s commemoration coincided with the 77th anniversary of International Human Rights Day, first observed in 1948 following the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Somalia joins 199 nations in marking the global occasion.
In his keynote remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Haji reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a strong human rights foundation to support peace, justice, and national development. He noted that Somalia had taken “significant, transformative steps” to rebuild its human rights infrastructure and re-engage with international mechanisms after nearly 30 years of disruption.
During the ceremony, the Ministry highlighted several major achievements made over the past year, including:
- Restoration of national human rights obligations after decades of absence, improving cooperation with international bodies and strengthening reporting standards.
- Passage of key human rights legislation aimed at reinforcing accountability, expanding access to justice, and protecting vulnerable groups.
- Establishment of the Independent National Human Rights Commission, a vital institution mandated to monitor violations, increase public awareness, and advise the government on rights-related policies.
Speakers underscored the importance of empowering women and youth, protecting vulnerable communities, and ensuring that development efforts uphold principles of equality and inclusion. They also emphasized the role of communities, religious leaders, and civil society in fostering a culture of respect for human rights across Somalia.
The ceremony concluded with renewed calls for continued collaboration between the government and its international partners to ensure that Somalia’s human rights progress remains sustainable and aligned with global standards.
