Geneva, SONNA — The Minister of Family and Human Rights Development of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Amb. Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, chaired a high-level meeting organized by Somalia in Geneva on the margins of the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council. The meeting was co-chaired by Prof. Ben Saul of the UN Special Rapporteur.
The event presented the official report of the Special Rapporteur following his recent visit to Somalia and also discussed the African perspective on the upcoming review of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, scheduled to take place in June 2026.
In his remarks, Prof. Ben Saul commended the Federal Government of Somalia for its continued progress in advancing human rights, highlighting the work carried out by the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development in strengthening national human rights institutions.
Minister Khadija Al-Makhzoumi welcomed the report and outlined key reforms implemented by the government in recent years. She reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to accountability and institutional strengthening, pointing to the historic establishment of the Independent National Human Rights Commission on Human Rights Day.
The Commission, chaired by Maryan Qasim Ahmed, has been mandated to investigate human rights violations and enhance oversight and accountability within the country.
Minister Al-Makhzoumi and the delegation she leads arrived in Geneva as part of Somalia’s active engagement in international forums focused on human rights and governance.
Prior to the meetings in Geneva, the Minister also led Somalia’s delegation to the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York City, underscoring Somalia’s continued diplomatic efforts to promote human rights and gender equality on the global stage.
