Parliament and the courts
National Independent Human Rights Commission of Somalia
Somalia's first National Independent Human Rights Commission was created by a law signed in December 2025, after the UN ended its independent expert's mandate on Somalia at the government's request. Its nine members were approved by both houses of parliament. Dr Maryan Qasim Ahmed, a former minister, was elected chairperson in February 2026.
What it does
The commission is mandated to document human rights violations, support victims and advise the government on rights-based governance (TRT Afrika). The constitution lists a human rights commission among Somalia's independent commissions; see independent commissions.
How it was set up
| Date | Step | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 25 September 2025 | Federal cabinet votes to end the mandate of the UN independent expert on human rights in Somalia | SONNA |
| 8 October 2025 | UN Human Rights Council resolution ends the expert's mandate, giving Somalia full control of its human rights affairs for the first time since 1993 | SONNA |
| 11 October 2025 | House of the People endorses the commission | SONNA |
| Late 2025 | Senate approves the nine commissioners, 28 votes of 55 present, one abstention; they take their oath | SONNA |
| Early December 2025 | President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signs the law creating the commission | TRT Afrika |
| February 2026 | Commissioners elect Dr Maryan Qasim Ahmed as chairperson | TRT Afrika |
The nine nominees were put forward by the Minister of Family and Human Rights Development and endorsed by the cabinet (TRT Afrika).
Who leads it
Dr Maryan Qasim Ahmed was born in Baardheere in 1959. She trained in medicine at Somali National University and has held ministerial posts covering women and family affairs and social development (TRT Afrika).
The money
The figures are from the federal Appropriation Act for 2027 as submitted to parliament, where the body is sub-head 012400 under Special Commissions (Ministry of Finance, Appropriation Act 2027):
| Year | US$ |
|---|---|
| 2025 (actual) | none (new line) |
| 2026 (budget) | 474,000 |
| 2027 (proposed) | 502,040 |
All federal bodies' budgets are compared on federal bodies and their budgets.
What it reports doing in 2026
- April: the National Union of Somali Journalists gave the commission its 2025 State of the Media report, which records 72 media freedom violations. The chair said the commission would review the findings (NUSOJ, 27 April 2026).
- April: it agreed to work with the Centre for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) on monitoring and accountability in security operations, after Somalia approved a national policy on protecting civilians in military operations (Dawan Africa, 27 April 2026).
- June: it condemned a video showing a woman being abused in Mogadishu and called for an investigation and prosecution (Dawan Africa, 22 June 2026).
Other records
An opinion piece in The Standard (Kenya) reported criticism that some of the commission's officials had become involved in politics, which critics said affected its neutrality (The Standard).
How the work is shared
The commission works alongside the Ministry of Family and Human Rights, which proposed its members, and the courts (courts and judiciary).
Sources
- TRT Afrika · trtafrika.com
- SONNA · sonna.so
- Ministry of Finance, Appropriation Act 2027 · mof.gov.so
- NUSOJ, 27 April 2026 · nusoj.org
- Dawan Africa, 27 April 2026 · dawan.africa
- Dawan Africa, 22 June 2026 · dawan.africa
- The Standard · standardmedia.co.ke
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Where this matters
Same era
- Australia18,401 people of Somali ancestry and 8,101 born in Somalia lived in Australia at the 2021 Census, more than half in Victoria. History, work, issues.
- Birmingham (Somali diaspora)About 17,000 to 21,600 Somalis live in Birmingham (Census 2021), mostly in Nechells, Newtown, Small Heath and Alum Rock. History, work, health and ties home.
- Bristol (Somali diaspora)9,167 people in Bristol identified as Somali or Somalilander in Census 2021, the city's largest minority group. Where they live, work, housing, leaders and ties home.
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada2,845 people of Somali origin lived in Calgary at the 2021 Census, plus 890 in Brooks. How they came, who serves them and what they face.
- Denmark (Somali diaspora)21,885 people of Somali origin lived in Denmark in 2026, half born there. Numbers, history, work, permit reviews, and ties home.
- DjiboutiAbout 13,900 refugees from Somalia live in Djibouti (Aug 2026): numbers since 1990, Ali Addeh, Holl-Holl, the 2017 refugee law, Arta 2000 and 2025 returns.
Keep reading
- Federal Parliament of Somalia: the House of the People and the Upper HouseWhat Somalia's Federal Parliament does, how its 329 seats are filled, who sits in each house, and the laws behind it, from 1960 to 2026.
- Constitution of Somalia (Dastuurka Soomaaliya): 1960 to 2026Somalia's constitutions from 1960 to 2026: the 1960 constitution, the 1979 constitution, the 2000 and 2004 charters, the 2012 Provisional Constitution, and the 2024 and 2026 amendments, with the votes and the dispute over them.
- Speakers of the Somali Parliament since 1956 (Guddoomiyeyaasha Baarlamaanka)Every speaker of Somalia's parliament from 1956 to 2026: the National Assembly, the People's Assembly, the transitional parliaments, the House of the People and the Upper House, with dates and votes.
- Members of Somalia's Federal Parliament (Xildhibaannada Baarlamaanka Federaalka)Lists of the members of Somalia's Federal Parliament: all 54 senators of the Upper House by member state, and the House of the People members in the official directory, with seat numbers and roles.
- Elections in Somalia: how voting and selection work (Doorashooyinka Soomaaliya)How Somalia chooses its parliament and President: the elections of 1956 to 1969, one-party votes under the military government, the clan-delegate system of 2000 to 2022, the 2024 election laws, the 2025 and 2026 direct votes and the 2027 timetable.
- Politics of Somalia: how power is shared (Siyaasadda Soomaaliya)How politics works in Somalia: the federal system, clan power-sharing, political parties from the Somali Youth League to the Justice and Solidarity Party, the opposition Somali Future Council, and relations with the member states.