MOGADISHU, (HAN) — Somalia’s House of the People on Saturday overwhelmingly approved the establishment of the country’s Independent National Human Rights Commission, following its presentation by the Ministry of Family Affairs and Human Rights Development.
The session, chaired by Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe), saw the majority of lawmakers vote in favor, with only a few opposing or abstaining.
Somalia’s Independent National Human Rights Commission has not been functional since the collapse of the central government led by former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
Minister of Family Affairs and Human Rights Development Amb. Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi said the new body will play a vital role in protecting human rights, monitoring abuses, and overseeing the government’s obligations to safeguard citizens’ rights.
“This is a significant step toward restoring Somalia’s national responsibility and independence in human rights affairs, after more than 30 years without an independent body dedicated to this mission,” Al-Makhzoumi said while presenting the commission to Parliament.
The newly approved commission is expected to operate independently from the government and focus on promoting, protecting, and advancing human rights across the country, in collaboration with national and international organizations.
