The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights implements its mandate in Somalia through the UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS)’s Human Rights and Protection Group (HRPG). UNTMIS was established by Security Council Resolution 2753, and previous mandate renewals, included 2632 (2022), comprised both the protection and promotion of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians. Since 2016, the Women Protection and Child Protection units are integral parts of HRPG.
HRPG is present in Mogadishu, Jubaland, Puntland, South West State, HirShabelle, and in Somaliland.
HRPG’s key thematic areas of work are:
1. Protect and expand civic space;
2. Protecting human rights in the context of conflict and insecurity, including early warning;
3. Equality and non-discrimination;
4. Strength rule of law and accountability for human rights violations;
5. Sustainable development and human rights-based action in climate change;
6. Support the implementation of human rights mechanisms’ outcomes.
KEY MANDATED FUNCTIONS
Monitoring, Reporting and Analysis
In pursuing its mandate, HRPG engages in various strategic activities to support human rights efforts on the ground. For example, HRPG plays a particularly valuable role in raising awareness and understanding of the country's human rights violations trends and patterns through its monitoring and reporting work. It includes gathering disaggregated data on the main human rights incidents, investigating them and conducting substantive analysis – including violations against women and children. Public reports on topics such as the protection of civilians or freedom of expression are also published.
Assist Governmental Authorities
HRPG assists the Federal Government of Somalia, the Federal Member States and the judiciary, in fulfilling their human rights obligations by providing technical expertise and conducting capacity-building activities. HRPG reviews legislative and policy changes and proposes suggestions to harmonize them with international frameworks in areas such as social protection, access to economic, social and cultural rights, and rights of people with disabilities, women, IDPs, youth, minority and marginalized groups.
Supporting the establishment of national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles is a key area in the protection framework for Somalia. For example, at the regional level, UNTMIS continues to work with the Office of Human Rights Defender (OHRD) in Puntland. At the federal level, HRPG advances efforts in advocating for the operationalisation of the Independent National Human Rights Commission which is pending.
Empower Civil Society Organizations and networks
HRPG maintains a regular dialogue with civil society organizations (CSOs) and supports their engagement with the Federal Government and other authorities to raise concerns about participation in public affairs, impunity, accountability, discrimination and rule of law. Enhancing and protecting civic space and people’s participation is implemented through building the capacity of CSOs, organizations of persons with disabilities, organisations representing minority and/or marginalized groups, and community-based organizations, among others, to participate in legislative processes and public policy development.
HRPG facilitates training to strengthen CSOs’ capacity for monitoring and reporting on human rights in the country. Since access is restricted because of security considerations, CSOs continue to play a vital role in support of UNTMIS’s mandate to monitor and report on human rights violations and abuses, particularly in remote areas.
As part of the UN approach to leaving no one behind, HRPG meets specific groups and individuals in situations of vulnerability to hear their voices and support them during their advocacy and awareness-raising efforts. HRPG highlights these specificities before the national authorities and international actors to promote that their unique challenges are reflected in the formulation of specific measures that ensure inclusive approaches, free of obstacles to their accessibility and the realization of their rights.
Engagement with Other Governments, Diplomatic Missions and UN System
HRPG continues building partnerships and mainstreaming human rights with the international community, including other governments, diplomatic missions, and UN mechanisms. HRPG collaborates with the Human Rights Working Group which is made up of the European Union and its Member States, Norway, Switzerland and the United States, among others. The Working Group is an important platform for advocacy, information-sharing and identifying initiatives to support the Federal Government of Somalia for improved human rights promotion and protection.
UNTMIS will continue to support the Federal Government of Somalia and CSOs during the fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which is scheduled for January 2026 and focused on enhanced implementation of recommendations and commitments made during the third cycle (May 2021). Additionally, HRPG works with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Human Rights Council in sustaining their efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
HRPG also provides guidance and technical expertise to the United Nations in Somalia through support for security institutions in implementing the UN Secretary-General’s Human Rights and Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP). The policy requires system-wide implementation – that all UN support to non-UN security forces, including the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), the Somali security forces and the rule of law institutions, is provided according to the principles enshrined in the Organization’s Charter and its obligations under international law.
DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS