By Farhan Jimale
Thursday August 6, 2026
Farhan Jimale
"To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity." — Nelson Mandela.
The international order is undergoing profound transformation. Armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, economic uncertainty, climate change and rapid technological advances have fundamentally altered the way societies function and the way governments interact with their citizens. Across every region of the world, these changes have reinforced one enduring lesson: sustainable peace and democratic governance cannot be built on economic growth or security alone. They depend equally upon strong institutions that protect human dignity, uphold the rule of law and command public confidence.
It is within this evolving global context that Somalia's own democratic journey continues to unfold. After decades of conflict, institutional collapse and political transition, Somalia is steadily rebuilding its constitutional order and strengthening the institutions upon which a peaceful and democratic future depends. The establishment of the National Independent Human Rights Commission is therefore far more than the creation of another public institution. It is an affirmation of the values that sustain democratic societies, human dignity, accountability, equality and justice.
As one of the Commissioners entrusted with this responsibility, I have come to appreciate that institution-building is rarely defined by dramatic moments. More often, it is characterised by careful decisions, patient dialogue and the quiet work of establishing integrity, independence and public trust. These foundations may not always be visible, but they ultimately determine whether an institution can fulfil its mandate and earn the confidence of the people it exists to serve.
This is therefore not an institutional report. It is a personal reflection on why independent national human rights institutions matter, why Somalia's first such institution arrives at a defining moment in our nation's history, and what its first six months reveal about both the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Why National Human Rights Institutions Matter?
National Human Rights Institutions have become indispensable pillars of democratic governance across the world. Their purpose extends beyond responding to violations after they occur. They help build a culture in which human rights are understood, respected and integrated into public policy and everyday governance.
An effective National Human Rights Institution serves as an independent bridge between citizens and the State. It provides avenues for redress, promotes accountability, encourages dialogue and strengthens public confidence in democratic institutions. Above all, it reinforces the principle that governments exist to serve people, not the other way around.
For Somalia, this significance is even greater.
After decades of conflict and institutional fragility, rebuilding public trust is among our greatest national challenges. Institutions capable of operating independently, fairly and transparently are essential if citizens are to regain confidence in public life. The establishment of Somalia's first National Independent Human Rights Commission therefore represents an important milestone in our democratic development.
Its success, however, will never depend upon the Commission alone. Human rights protection is a shared national responsibility requiring meaningful cooperation among Parliament, Government, the Judiciary, civil society, traditional elders, religious leaders, the private sector, development partners and, above all, Somali citizens themselves.
A Constitutional Mandate and a National Responsibility
The Commission is not merely the product of political aspiration; it is firmly grounded in Somalia's constitutional and legal framework.
Article 41 of the Provisional Constitution establishes an independent National Human Rights Commission, while the National Independent Human Rights Commission Establishment Law (Law No. 16 of 2016) gives practical effect to that constitutional vision by defining the Commission's mandate, powers and functions. Under the law, the Commission is mandated to promote and protect human rights, monitor compliance with constitutional and international human rights standards, receive and investigate complaints, conduct inquiries into systemic violations, visit places of detention, make recommendations, and collaborate with public institutions and civil society to strengthen respect for human rights. It is further empowered to summon witnesses, obtain relevant information, mediate complaints and propose appropriate remedies where violations are established.
Yet legislation alone cannot guarantee effectiveness.
Institutions derive their legitimacy not simply from law, but from the integrity with which they exercise their mandate. Independence must be demonstrated through impartial decision-making. Credibility must be earned through consistency, transparency and professionalism. Above all, public trust must be built over time through principled engagement with those whom the institution serves.
Laying the Foundations
During these first six months, our primary focus has been on laying the institutional foundations upon which the Commission's long-term effectiveness will depend. We have worked to establish sound governance structures, develop ethical standards and strengthen decision-making processes that will ensure consistency, accountability and institutional integrity.
At the same time, we have taken practical steps to establish the Commission's institutional presence, including setting up its headquarters and the administrative systems necessary to support its work. While this work may not always be visible to the public, it is indispensable to building an independent institution capable of fulfilling its constitutional mandate with credibility and public confidence. Every meaningful action the Commission takes in the years ahead will rest upon these foundations.
Equally important has been our engagement with a broad range of stakeholders. We have met with government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and representatives of the private sector not to compromise our independence, but to clarify our mandate, establish constructive relationships and build mutual understanding.
Throughout these engagements, one lesson has become increasingly clear.
Independence is not isolation.
Rather, independence is demonstrated through the ability to engage openly while remaining impartial, objective and guided solely by the law and the public interest.
Human Rights Begin in Everyday Life
Human rights are often discussed in constitutional provisions, international conventions and legal terminology. Yet for ordinary Somalis, human rights are experienced in much more practical ways.
They are reflected in whether parents can afford to send their children to school, whether families can obtain medical treatment when illness strikes, whether clean water remains affordable and whether households can maintain a basic standard of living with dignity.
Recent data published by the Somali National Bureau of Statistics (SNBS) illustrate this reality with striking clarity. The June 2026 Consumer Price Index reports annual inflation of 8.1 per cent, with particularly significant increases in sectors directly connected to fundamental human rights. Education costs increased by 14.0 per cent, driven largely by a 16.6 per cent increase in early childhood and primary education. Health costs rose by 11.8 per cent, including a 17.1 per cent increase in outpatient services. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other essential utilities increased by 10.3 per cent, while the cost of water alone increased by 16.5 per cent.
These are not simply economic indicators.
They represent families forced to make difficult choices between education, healthcare and other basic necessities. They remind us that economic policy and human rights are deeply interconnected.
The Commission neither determines prices nor formulates fiscal policy. Those responsibilities belong elsewhere. However, the Commission has an important responsibility to ensure that the human consequences of economic developments remain visible and that public policy continues to reflect the principles of dignity, equality and non-discrimination.
Periods of economic hardship make the protection of human rights not less important, but more important.
Looking Ahead
If the first six months have been devoted to laying institutional foundations, the next phase must focus on translating those foundations into meaningful public impact.
This means strengthening accessible complaints mechanisms, expanding public awareness of the Commission's work, deepening cooperation with state institutions and civil society, and continuing to build confidence through professionalism, transparency and independence.
Equally important is recognising that the Commission's effectiveness will not be measured by the number of meetings held, reports published or statements issued. It will be measured by whether ordinary Somalis increasingly believe that they have an independent institution capable of listening to their concerns, protecting their rights and promoting accountability fairly and without fear or favour.
As a Commissioner, I remain optimistic.
Somalia's democratic institutions are still young, but they are steadily maturing. Building trust requires patience. Protecting rights requires courage. Strengthening institutions requires consistency over many years.
The National Independent Human Rights Commission is still at the beginning of its journey. If we remain faithful to the principles upon which it was established, independence, impartiality, accountability and respect for human dignity, I believe it can become one of Somalia's enduring democratic institutions.
The protection of human rights is not the responsibility of one Commission alone. It is a shared national responsibility that belongs to government, Parliament, the judiciary, civil society, the private sector, our development partners and every Somali citizen.
Only through that collective commitment can we build a Somalia where justice is trusted, dignity is protected and human rights are not merely guaranteed by law, but experienced by every citizen in their daily lives.
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About the Author: Farhan Jimale is a Commissioner of the National Independent Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) of the Federal Republic of Somalia, an accomplished human rights advocate, strategic communications specialist, and former international journalist with more than three decades of experience spanning human rights, governance, public policy, media, and humanitarian affairs.
Before joining the Commission, he served as Government Spokesperson and Director of Communications and Public Relations at the Office of the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, following more than two decades with the BBC World Service and United Nations humanitarian agencies, where he led strategic communications, journalism, and public information initiatives across the Horn of Africa.
He holds a Master’s degree in Religion in Peace and Conflict from Uppsala University, Sweden, and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom. He writes in his personal capacity on human rights, governance, and public policy, and can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected]. He can also be followed on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhanjimale/ and X (Twitter) https://x.com/farhanjimale for professional insights and commentary.
