Mogadishu – On the occasion of Human Rights Day, the United Nations today highlighted the critical role that fundamental rights play in the daily lives of all Somalis, noting the progress made in 2025 and urging continued national commitment for the promotion and protection of human rights.
“Human rights are an essential part of our daily lives, providing the basic security and freedom we need to live, grow, and participate fully in our communities,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan.
“We commend the Federal Government of Somalia for key steps taken in the past year in several important areas to advance the promotion and protection of these rights, notably the organization of the National Human Rights Summit and the commitment to establish the National Independent Human Rights Commission, a cornerstone for the promotion and protection of these fundamental human rights,” he added.
Somalia has made meaningful progress, laying the foundation for even greater achievements in ensuring that all people can fully enjoy their human rights. The United Nations family stands ready to continue supporting these national efforts, working side by side with Somali partners to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights, including the promotion and protection of the freedom of expression and the rights of women and children.
Another significant achievement this year is the delisting in the UN Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict of the Somali National Army and Somali Police Force for the recruitment and use of children. This historic development reflects strong political will and years of sustained work by the Federal Government, communities, and partners to protect Somali children from violence and abuse.
At the same time, the United Nations remains deeply concerned that Al-Shabaab continues to be responsible for the majority of human rights violations and abuses in Somalia, including killings, abductions, and attacks targeting civilians, humanitarian workers, and government institutions.
United Nations support for the advancement of human rights in Somalia includes assisting the Federal Government, Federal Member States and judiciary in fulfilling their human rights obligations by providing technical expertise and conducting capacity-building activities.
This theme of this year’s observance, ‘Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials,’ seeks to reaffirm the enduring relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and highlights that fundamental rights – such as safety, health, education, and freedom from discrimination – are not distant concepts, but the basic building blocks people depend on daily to live with dignity. It serves as a reminder that protecting these rights is essential for creating fair, resilient, and inclusive societies.
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December – the day the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It sets out a common standard of fundamental rights and freedoms for all people, and remains one of the most influential human rights documents in the world, forming the foundation for many national laws and international human rights treaties.
