GENEVA — Somalia’s Minister of Family and Human Rights Development, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, held talks in Geneva with the United Kingdom’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing Somalia’s human rights agenda, officials said.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of engagements linked to the United Nations Human Rights Council, comes as Somalia seeks to consolidate recent institutional and legal reforms aimed at improving rights protections after decades of conflict and instability.
Sanders praised what she described as “notable and sustained progress” by Somalia in promoting and safeguarding human rights, particularly highlighting the establishment of an independent National Human Rights Commission and a newly signed cooperation framework with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“We commend the Somali government for its continued commitment to building credible human rights institutions,” Sanders said, according to a statement. “The partnership with OHCHR marks an important step in strengthening accountability and technical capacity.”
Minister Al-Makhzoumi reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to aligning its policies with international human rights standards and deepening collaboration with international partners, including the UK.
“Somalia is determined to translate these agreements into tangible improvements for its people, particularly vulnerable groups such as women, children and internally displaced persons,” she said.
Officials said discussions also covered priorities including legal reforms, protection of journalists, gender equality, and capacity-building for national institutions.
The talks follow a “historic agreement” signed in Geneva between Somalia’s Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development and OHCHR, aimed at enhancing technical support, monitoring mechanisms, and reporting obligations under international human rights treaties.
Somalia has in recent years stepped up efforts to rebuild state institutions and improve governance, with human rights reforms seen as central to stabilisation and international engagement.
