Geneva: The United Kingdom (UK) and Somalia co-hosted an official side event at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva under the theme “Somalia’s Human Rights Transition: From Country-Specific Mandate to Strengthened National Institutions and International Human Rights Mechanism.”
The event featured addresses by Somalia’s Minister of Family and Human Development, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, and the UK Ambassador for Human Rights, Eleanor Sanders. The event attracted a full audience of member states, international organisations, and civil society representatives.
Among the distinguished participants was Maryan Seylac, Executive Director of the Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA), who took part in the dialogue and highlighted the importance of ensuring that women journalists are protected in the broader context of Somalia’s human rights transition.
Freedom of the press defenders were also represented at the meeting, with strong calls for media freedom to be recognised as central to Somalia’s democratic and human rights aspirations. The Minister of Family and Human Development, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, acknowledged notable progress, such as the establishment of the independent National Human Rights Commission, the adoption of new policies, and the roadmap for transitional justice.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that Somalia’s progress must not overshadow ongoing realities, particularly the repression of independent journalism. ”Although the killing of journalists has decreased, repression has taken new forms. Intimidation, arbitrary arrests, censorship, harassment—particularly of women journalists—media suspensions, and online and offline threats remain widespread. The culture of impunity continues, with no accountability for the murders of journalists over the past 15 years, despite repeated briefings to the UN Human Rights Council,” said Omar Faruk, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), who addressed the meeting.
At her briefing, the UN Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Somalia, Isha Dyfanthe, identified Somalia’s outdated and restrictive laws—including the 1964 Penal Code, the revised 2020 Media Law, and the Anti-Terrorism Law—as major obstacles undermining freedom of expression. These laws criminalise journalism and undermine the credibility of Somalia’s human rights transition. “Journalists continue to be prosecuted under draconian laws designed to silence dissent. Unless these laws are reformed, civic space will remain under siege.”
Director General of the Ministry of Family and Human Development Mohamed Bashir, who spoke at the meeting, stated that the ministry is tabling the draconian penal code to the parliament for review.
In conclusion, Minister Al-Makhzoumi expressed appreciation to the United Kingdom for its consistent role in championing human rights protections in Somalia at the global level. The discussion concluded with a strong message: progress must be acknowledged, but violations cannot be ignored. Accountability, press freedom, and civic space must remain central to Somalia’s transition if the country is to achieve a rights-respecting future.
