Somalia's Minister of Family and Human Rights Development, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, recently met with Awa Dabo, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting was focused on strengthening cooperation between the Somali government and the UN human rights office. According to Al-Makhzoumi's ministry, the discussions centred on ways to deepen collaboration between Somalia's federal government and OHCHR.
The meeting between Al-Makhzoumi and Dabo covered efforts to establish an OHCHR office in Somalia. The two officials discussed the importance of such a presence in strengthening national institutions, supporting human rights initiatives, and expanding technical cooperation between Somalia and the United Nations. This development is part of broader efforts to strengthen national capacity on human rights issues and improve cooperation between Somali institutions and international partners.
During the meeting, Al-Makhzoumi expressed her gratitude to OHCHR for its continued support and cooperation with the Somali government. She reaffirmed her ministry's commitment to expanding international cooperation and advancing efforts to promote and protect human rights in Somalia. This meeting comes as Somalia continues to work with international partners on institutional development, governance, and human rights protection.
The Somali government has sought greater national capacity to address human rights concerns while strengthening its engagement with UN agencies and other international organisations. Al-Makhzoumi was accompanied by the ministry's Director General, Mohamed Bashir Omar, as well as experts and advisers from the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development. The Geneva meeting formed part of the Somali government's wider engagement with international institutions on human rights and institutional development.
The meeting highlighted the government's efforts to strengthen cooperation with OHCHR and secure additional technical support for national human rights mechanisms. No specific timeline for the establishment of the OHCHR office in Somalia was given in the statement following the meeting. Somalia has been working with the United Nations and other international partners on a range of human rights issues, including strengthening institutions and improving legal frameworks.
The government has said closer cooperation with international human rights institutions is important to consolidating progress and strengthening Somalia's national capacity in the sector. The country continues to work towards improving its human rights situation and strengthening its institutions. The Somali government has been engaging with international partners to address human rights concerns and promote stability in the region.
The discussions between Al-Makhzoumi and Dabo reflect Somalia's commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. The meeting demonstrated the government's efforts to work with international partners to strengthen its national capacity on human rights issues. Key aspects of the meeting included strengthening cooperation, establishing an OHCHR office, and promoting human rights in Somalia.
Key points
- Strengthening national capacity on human rights issues
- Establishing an OHCHR office in Somalia
- Promoting and protecting human rights in Somalia
