About 25 reporters and editors from various media based in the capital attended the very first training session on human rights reporting.

At the official launch of the training, SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, called on journalists to prioritize human rights coverage in their local and national newsrooms and make use of the skills taught in the three-day training.

"Human rights are inalienable and should be protected. However, there are many human rights violations in our country that our media do not catch simply because journalists lack the understanding and the necessary tools," added Mr Mumin.

In his introductory words, Avv. Abdirahman Omar said journalists and independent media who reported on the truth were constantly exposed to intimidation and violence, making Somali journalists integral human rights defenders.

"Journalists are simply vulnerable human rights defenders. It is very everywhere in the world, but here in Somalia they have specific challenges. Therefore, their training and equiping them is an important step to support them so that journalists can document and report human rights issues in Somalia,” Avv. Omar said.

Hinda Dahir, a rights defender for SJS journalists narrated how many local reporters struggled to find trainings tailored to their specific needs, including researching and documenting human rights violations.

"Women in Somalia face all sorts of abuses, including rape and discrimination which remain underreported. The journalists at this particular training will learn how to report on all types of human rights, including violence against women. This will help speak for the victory of human rights. We hope to see improved human rights situation in the country while also helping capacitate local reporters who need reporting skills," said Hinda Dahir.

Increased political tensions between federal and regional authorities in Somalia have hampered the implementation of the necessary judicial, constitutional and human rights reforms.

According to Amnesty International, the ongoing conflict between the government and its regional and international partners, on the one hand, and the Al-Shabaab armed group, on the other, combined with a number of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the civilian population, which has caused further food insecurity and mass displacement.

Rights groups also say that all parties to the conflict have continued to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law with impunity. Journalists in the country are also threatened, harassed, intimidated, beaten and arbitrarily arrested and prosecuted for exposing rights violations.