Somalia: “Civic Space Under Threat: A Joint Civil Society Response Through Dialogue, Training, and Advocacy”.
Introduction
In 2025, the Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders (CSHRD), in partnership with the Horn Afrik News Agency for Human Rights (HANAHR), the Somaliland Women Lawyers Association (SWLA), and the Puntland Media Association (PUMA), with the generous support of CYS, organized three strategic activities to strengthen civic space and enhance the protection of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Somalia.
These activities, which included two regional Roundtable Discussions and a Digital Security Capacity Building workshop, prioritized inclusive participation, with a strong emphasis on the leadership and protection of women HRDs. The events also created a platform for civil society organizations to raise serious concerns over the establishment of a government-led National Human Rights Commission, which was widely criticized for violating the Paris Principles and lacking independence ahead of Somalia’s upcoming 2026 elections.
1. Roundtable Discussion in Garowe, Puntland – June 2025
Participants: 35 (12 Male, 23 Female)
Organized by: CSHRD & PUMA
Venue: Garowe
Theme: Civic Engagement and Protection of Civic Space in Puntland
This forum engaged CSOs, journalists, legal professionals, women leaders, and grassroots HRDs in an open discussion on civic participation and increasing restrictions on fundamental freedoms in Puntland. The importance of protecting HRDs—particularly women—was underscored throughout the discussion.
Key Highlights:
Civil society’s rejection of the recently formed National Human Rights Commission, criticizing its lack of transparency and non-compliance with international standards.
Development of a communiqué denouncing the instrumentalization of the commission for political and electoral gain.
Agreement to establish a follow-up task force on civic space monitoring.
2. Roundtable Discussion in Hargeisa, Somaliland – February 2025
Participants: 35 (11 Male, 24 Female)
Organized by: CSHRD & SWLA
Venue: Hargeisa
Theme: The Role of Women and Legal Institutions in Safeguarding Civic Freedoms.
This roundtable focused on protecting civic space through the rule of law, with a particular focus on women lawyers and advocates. SWLA and CSHRD led sessions on using legal frameworks to challenge repression and empower women HRDs.
Key Highlights:
Case study presentations on legal challenges to civic repression in Somaliland.
Statements of solidarity with HRDs under pressure in South-Central Somalia.
Strong consensus that any national human rights mechanism must be inclusive and independently selected with full civil society involvement.
3. Digital Security Training – Mogadishu, South-Central Somalia – April 2025
Participants: 25 (1 Male, 24 Female)
Organized by: CSHRD & HANAHR
Venue: Mogadishu
Theme: Strengthening the Digital Resilience of Women Human Rights Defenders
This intensive training, delivered in collaboration with HANAHR, addressed growing digital threats against HRDs, particularly women activists and journalists, who face increasing online surveillance, harassment, and data insecurity.
Key Highlights:
Hands-on training in secure communications (e.g., Signal, ProtonMail, VPNs).
Creation of a peer-to-peer digital safety support group for women HRDs.
Warnings from participants about the risk of surveillance and intimidation facilitated by the so-called national human rights commission.
CSO Concerns on the National Human Rights Commission
Throughout all three events, civil society participants strongly condemned the Somali government’s establishment of a so-called Independent National Human Rights Commission. Concerns were raised about:
The lack of consultation and absence of transparency in the commission’s formation.
Its non-compliance with the Paris Principles, which require independence, pluralism, and a clear human rights protection mandate.
Fears that the body is being instrumentalized for political purposes, particularly ahead of the 2026 elections.
Risks that the commission could suppress critical voices under the guise of monitoring, including through digital surveillance.
A joint statement drafted during the Garowe roundtable demanded:
Immediate suspension of the current commission’s mandate.
Launch of a transparent, consultative process to establish a truly independent and representative human rights institution.
International community support in upholding civic space and human rights standards in Somalia.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The three activities successfully contributed to expanding civic space, empowering women HRDs, and amplifying civil society voices in the face of growing state repression. The events also highlighted the urgent need for meaningful civil society engagement in human rights governance, especially in light of the politicization of key institutions.
Recommendations:
1. Reform or disband the newly established National Human Rights Commission unless it is brought into full alignment with the Paris Principles.
2. Scale up civic engagement initiatives that prioritize women HRDs.
3. Invest in ongoing digital safety and security training, particularly in South-Central Somalia.
4. Establish a CSHRD-HANAHR Civic Watch Mechanism to monitor threats to civic space and coordinate responses across the country.
Prepared by:
Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders (CSHRD)
In Partnership With:
Horn Afrik News Agency for Human Rights (HANAHR)
Somaliland Women Lawyers Association (SWLA)
Puntland Media Association (PUMA)
Supported by: CYS
Date: July 2025
Website: www.cshrds.org