Defenders Coalition Somalia

Our purpose is to respond to Somali human rights defenders' needs through protection, capacity building, and advocacy.

[Defenders Coalition Somalia @DefendersSomali]

With support from @DefendDefenders and @AfricanDefenders, our recent validation meeting brought diverse perspectives together to reflect on findings from our baseline assessment, helping ground our upcoming report on the situation of Somali HRDs in lived realities. Coming soon 🔍

[EU Delegation Somalia @EU_in_Somalia]

📯🇪🇺Call for Applications: Sakharov Fellowship for HR Defenders are now open!

🎯14 positions for human rights defenders from non-EU countries

🎯2 weeks of intensive training

🎯Apply by 15 February 2026 (midnight CET)

👉https://t.co/tp7Z22UQE7

[Defenders Coalition Somalia @DefendersSomali]

Honouring 20 years of @DefendDefenders’ vital work advancing protection, advocacy & capacity building for HRDs across Africa. 🌍✨

Remarks from @MaryLawlorhrds, UN Special Rapporteur on HRDs, made for an inspiring day of reflection and solidarity. ✊🏾

#20YearsDefending

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

HAPPENING NOW

Panel discussion at the 20th anniversary of the exemplary work of Defend Defenders in protecting rights defenders across Africa.

The discussion focuses on reimagining safety and solidarity for HRDS with commentaries from UN Mechanisms mandate holders @MaryLawlorhrds (Special Rapporteur on HRS) and @GinaRomero (Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association), Marcel Akpovo (@OHCHR_EARO) and Rinu Oduala of Marigold Foundation.

#20YearsDefending

[Defenders Coalition Somalia @DefendersSomali]

We welcome the approval of the 🇸🇴National Human Rights Commission — a long-awaited step toward accountability, justice & dignity. For decades, HRDs & CSOs have tirelessly advanced this work. Together with all stakeholders, we can build a more just Somalia. 🤝🏾

[Ministry of Family & Human Rights Development @MFamily_HRD]

A landmark achievement for the Somali people. The approval of the National Human Rights Commission strengthens our institutions and sends a clear message about our dedication to human rights and the rule of law.

​Read the Ministry's full commendation here. ⤵️

[Hiil Law Firm @hiillawfirm]

Freedom of expression is not just a privilege, it’s a fundamental right, guaranteed under Article 18 of Somalia’s Provisional Constitution.

At Hiil Law Firm, we stand for the protection of this right and the rule of law that upholds it.

#FreedomOfExpression #Somalia

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

🚨 The UN Human Rights Council's 6⃣0⃣th session (#HRC60) just concluded 🧑🏽‍⚖️

⏩ Read @Hassan_Shire's Reflections on a busy session, which took place in a context of liquidity crisis & funding cuts: https://t.co/qEGcf2Ar0r 🗒️

🔎 Visual summary of the session (❝HRC60 Takeaways for Africa❞), with clickable links, available here: https://t.co/ByKkUhUBht 🇸🇩🇧🇮🇸🇴🇪🇹🇨🇩🇹🇿🇰🇪🇺🇳

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

🚨 The @UN_HRC is changing its approach to #Somalia’s human rights situation 🇸🇴

Today's resolution:
☑️ Ends the Independent Expert's mandate (one of the longest standing UN special procedures).
✅ Tasks @UNHumanRights with providing tech­ni­cal support to the government and monitoring & reporting on the situation.

↪️ Read our take on why the international community should keep a spotlight on the country – despite the #HRC60 shift, international support & scrutiny should continue: https://t.co/UlY10h4T0s 🇺🇳 @Hassan_Shire

[Defenders Coalition Somalia @DefendersSomali]

Women human rights defenders shared powerful lived experiences and perspectives on Somalia’s human rights landscape during a meeting with our Executive Director. Their courage, insight, and leadership continue to guide our mission forward. 💪🏾 #WHRD #HumanRights

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

🗣️ And it's a wrap for oral statements at #HRC60❗️

Today, during the final @UN_HRC debate with the Independent Expert on #Somalia (the mandate will be discontinued), we drew attention to the need for ongoing scrutiny of the country's human rights situation, in addition to technical assistance.

We call on @UNHumanRights to transparently & comprehensively report on the situa­tion in 🇸🇴 and stress the need to strengthen the National Independent Human Rights Commission.

↪️ All our statements for the 6⃣0⃣th session: https://t.co/shWLyTQL5I 🇺🇳 @Hassan_Shire

[Avv. Iman Abdikarin @iman_abdikarin]

My time in Baidoa was full of memorable experiences. I had the honor of meeting H.E. Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, President of South West State, Minister Hassan Moalim, and other distinguished participants. Grateful for the knowledge and insights gained.

[Defenders Coalition Somalia @DefendersSomali]

Somalia has reached a milestone with Parliament’s ratification led by @MFamily_HRD. This not only advances children’s rights but also signals commitment to building a legal framework that protects rights, enables advocacy and empowers HRDs across Somalia championing child rights

[SONNA @SONNALIVE]

The Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development welcomes Parliament’s ratification of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Family Minister @KhadijaMakhzumi highlighted its importance for protecting Somali children. #Somalia #ChildRights

[Defenders Coalition Somalia @DefendersSomali]

Our team joined a constructive meeting today in Dhusamareb, organized by @MoWHRDGalmudug, with Kirsten Young, Chief of @UNSOM Human Rights & Protection Group, and Civil Society partners. Together we are working to advance #HumanRights and protect #HRDs

[Defenders Coalition Somalia @DefendersSomali]

📍Mogadishu | We’re honored to welcome @Hassan_Shire, Executive Director of @DefendDefenders & Chairperson of @AfricaDefenders, as he introduces the newly appointed Board of Directors, set to provide strategic leadership and drive our mission forward.

[Defenders Coalition Somalia @DefendersSomali]

🎉 Defenders Coalition Somalia is now on X!🎉 We're excited to share our journey and connect with human rights defenders across Somalia and Somaliland. Follow us to stay connected and informed! #HRDs #Somalia #Somaliland