Somalia Secures Support for Human Rights Reforms at UN Meeting in Geneva

GOOBJOOG NEWS | GENEVA: Somalia concluded a high-level meeting on the margins of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council with renewed international recognition of its progress in strengthening human rights institutions and governance reforms.

The meeting, chaired by Somalia’s Minister of Family and Human Rights Development Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi and co-chaired by Ben Saul, centered on the presentation of the Special Rapporteur’s report following his recent visit to Somalia.

During the session, Prof. Saul commended the Federal Government of Somalia for advances made in promoting human rights and strengthening national oversight mechanisms. The discussions also helped position Somalia within broader African consultations ahead of the upcoming review of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights scheduled for June 2026.

Somalia used the platform to highlight key reforms, including the establishment of the Independent National Human Rights Commission, which is chaired by Maryan Qasim Ahmed and mandated to investigate human rights violations and strengthen accountability across state institutions.

The outcome of the meeting reinforced international confidence in Somalia’s reform agenda and strengthened engagement between the federal government and global human rights bodies.

The Geneva engagement forms part of Somalia’s broader diplomatic efforts to advance governance reforms, strengthen accountability, and increase its participation in international human rights dialogue.