Human Rights

No More Whitewashing: Somalia must uphold Constitution and International norms in forming human rights commission

MOGADISHU, Somalia 2 June 2025 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) expresses deep concern over the Somali president's office attempting to establish a puppet National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) through a non-transparent, unconstitutional, and politically manipulated process that blatantly…

Somalia: EU-trained police raid local radio, arrest journalist in Lower Shabelle; Turkish-trained Haramcad forces attack three journalists in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia – 01 June 2025 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the arrest of Ismail Khalif Ahmed, the director and founder of Radio Wanlaweyn FM, in Wanla-Weyn town, Lower Shabelle region on Friday 30 May, as well as the attack on three journalists from RTN TV and Five…

Vote for Food: Mogadishu IDP Women Speak Out on Forced Registration by Disputed Electoral Commission

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) – Women and teenagers living in displacement camps around Mogadishu say they are being terrorized and coerced by individuals claiming to represent Somalia's so-called Independent Electoral Commission in an effort to forcefully register them for a controversial…

Climate Impact Deepens in Somalia with Deadly Flooding and Displacement

GAROWE, Somalia (KAAB TV) – At least 17 people have died across Somalia due to flash flooding caused by seasonal Gu rains (April–June), which began in mid-April and have since inundated southern and central parts of the country, according to authorities and humanitarian agencies.

15 journalists arrested in two days amid crackdown on media covering public opinion and political tensions in Somalia's capital,Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia 24 May, 2025 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the recent wave of arrests, threats, and intimidation targeting journalists in Mogadishu. Over the past 48 hours, SJS has recorded a disturbing spike of 15 arbitrary detentions, equipment confiscation, and obstruction…

Somalia's Press Freedom Groups Call for Accountability and Protection During Meeting with Diplomatic Community

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Press freedom organizations convened today [Tuesday] in Mogadishu with members of the international diplomatic community to raise urgent concerns about the worsening state of freedom of expression in Somalia.

Outrage Over State-Enabled Human Trafficking and Visa Fraud Disguised as Delegation to the 113th ILO Conference

Ref: GSH/XX/CXA/SZAM_1 Date: 19/05/2025

African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Must Push for Reforms to Protect Women and Girls - Equality Now

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) - Equality Now is urging the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to call upon African Union (AU) member states to urgently address rising sexual violence and exploitation of women and girls across the continent.

Over 2,000 Families in Mogadishu Face Forced Eviction by Armed Police Linked to Ex-Al-Shabaab Militia

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) – Armed police units led by Mogadishu's Galbeed Police Station Commander, Yasin Ganey, launched a dawn raid on Saturday targeting a displaced community living in the former Pharmaceutical Factory (Ex-Warshadda Daawada) along the Afgooye-Mogadishu road.

Somaliland Police Kill 6, 18 Others Injured During Violent Burao Protest

HARGEISA, Somaliland (HORN OBSERVER) – The death toll from Thursday's violent protest in the city of Burao has climbed to at least six, most of them young people, according to local sources.