Narrative Report: Horseed University International (HUI) – Somalia’s First Human Rights Defenders Hub
Horseed University International (HUI) has made history by becoming the first university in Somalia to be formally recognized as a Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Hub. This groundbreaking initiative was engendered by the university’s Law Faculty, in close collaboration with the Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders (CSHRD) (www.cshrds.org), and has positioned HUI as a center of hope, resilience, and protection for defenders at risk across the country.
A Safe Haven for Human Rights Defenders
In a national context where HRDs continue to face daily risks of persecution, violence, and intimidation, HUI has stepped forward with courage and leadership. Through its HRD Hub, the university has hosted at-risk human rights defenders, providing them with temporary shelter and essential support. This protection space has allowed defenders to recover, rebuild, and regain strength while continuing their vital work in a safer environment.
Capacity Building and Mentorship
Beyond physical safety, HUI has prioritized the capacity building of defenders, equipping them with tools to enhance their advocacy strategies, legal literacy, and international networking. Programs have included specialized training workshops on human rights documentation, international law, and digital safety. The HRD Hub has also developed a mentorship program, pairing emerging defenders with experienced human rights advocates to provide guidance, moral support, and knowledge transfer.
Well-Being and Resilience
Recognizing that human rights work in Somalia often takes a devastating toll on mental and physical health, HUI has incorporated well-being improvement measures into the HRD Hub. This includes psychosocial support, stress management initiatives, and resilience-building activities. By addressing well-being as an integral part of advocacy, the Hub underscores the importance of defenders sustaining themselves as much as their work.
Advocacy and Networking Initiatives
HUI’s HRD Hub has further served as a platform for advocacy and networking. By creating spaces where defenders can meet, exchange experiences, and collectively strategize, the Hub has amplified their voices nationally and internationally. With CSHRD as a close partner, defenders have gained opportunities to engage with regional and global human rights mechanisms, thereby enhancing the visibility of Somali human rights issues.
Leadership and Vision
This pioneering effort is widely hailed as a milestone in Somalia’s human rights landscape, made possible through the visionary leadership of Adam, a human rights legal advocate whose tireless commitment to protection and empowerment of defenders has driven the initiative. Under Adam’s leadership, HUI has redefined the role of academia in fragile contexts—moving beyond education alone to embrace advocacy, protection, and social responsibility.
Recognition and Future Prospects
Horseed University International’s transformation into Somalia’s first HRD Hub has drawn admiration from across the human rights community. It demonstrates that universities, when aligned with civil society organizations like CSHRD, can become not only centers of learning but also beacons of protection and solidarity. Looking ahead, HUI intends to expand its HRD programs to reach more defenders across Somalia, strengthen partnerships with international allies, and advocate for a more enabling environment for human rights work in the country.
Conclusion
The establishment of the HRD Hub at Horseed University International represents a landmark achievement for Somalia. It is both a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity and a practical lifeline for defenders who risk everything to protect human dignity. Through this initiative, HUI has proven that academia and civil society can work hand in hand to safeguard those who safeguard the rights of all.
Source: HUI Law Faculty