Monday April 14, 2025
Second Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdisalan Adan Ali, delivers the opening address at the country’s first National Human Rights Conference in Mogadishu on April 14, 2025. (SONNA photo)
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia launched its first-ever National Human Rights Conference in Mogadishu on Monday.
The three-day event, organized by the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, brings together government officials, civil society representatives, journalists, and international partners to deliberate on strategies for protecting human rights in Somalia. It marks a significant step by the federal government to position itself as a regional leader in rights-based governance.
“It is time for Somalia to lead the way in human rights protection,” said Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdisalan Adan Ali in his opening address. “We must build a society where rights are respected, protected, and accessible to all.”
The conference comes amid growing concerns about the shrinking civic space in Somalia and an increase in reported violations of press freedom. Between May 2023 and May 2024, at least 28 cases of violence against journalists were documented, including the killings of three media workers. Only one case has seen justice served, according to rights monitors. The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) reported 52 attacks on journalists in 2024 alone, ranging from physical assaults and arbitrary arrests to online harassment—highlighting a pattern of impunity and institutional failure to safeguard freedom of expression.
In response, the Somali government has launched several initiatives to align domestic laws with international human rights standards. These include the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate crimes against journalists, the launch of a national hotline to report such violations, and specialized training for security forces and legal professionals on the importance of press freedom.
Beyond media protections, the conference also focused on structural reforms to empower marginalized groups. Abdisalan stressed the government’s intent to expand opportunities for women to hold public office outside the constraints of the 4.5 clan-based power-sharing model. He added that people with disabilities must be fully integrated into Somalia’s workforce and civic life.
Prior to the formal opening, Abdisalan and Minister of Women and Human Rights Development Khadija Al-Makhzoumi toured an exhibition showcasing visual art and photography centred on justice, dignity, and equality.
In her remarks, Minister Al-Makhzoumi outlined the ministry’s roadmap to enhance Somalia’s human rights architecture. She stressed the importance of enabling civil society organizations to voice critical concerns and collaborate with government institutions in policy formulation and implementation.
“This conference is a turning point,” she said. “It signals our government’s firm commitment to embedding human rights at the heart of national development.”
Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdisalan Adan Ali and Minister of Women and Human Rights Development Khadija Al-Makhzoumi attend the opening of Somalia’s first National Human Rights Conference in Mogadishu on April 14, 2025. The three-day summit brought together government officials, civil society leaders, and international partners to advance press freedom, civic participation, and rights-based governance. (Photo: SONNA)