MOGADISHU: The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hassan Moallim, met with the Chairperson of the National Independent Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), Dr. Maryan Khasim, in Mogadishu to address prison conditions, detainee rights, and justice reforms for vulnerable populations. The meeting focused on strengthening strategic cooperation between the Ministry and the Commission, particularly in the protection and promotion of human rights within Somalia’s justice sector.
Both parties committed to bolstering collaboration, improving prison oversight, and developing a justice framework consistent with international human rights standards. Minister Moallim emphasized the need for systemic reforms to address long-standing issues within Somalia’s correctional facilities, including overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and lack of medical care.
The meeting comes amid growing international concern over prison conditions in Somalia. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights while countering terrorism has voiced serious concerns about Mogadishu’s Central Prison, describing it as “outdated and inhumane”. The facility has been cited for overcrowding, poor sanitation, and lack of adequate medical care, with calls for urgent investment in a modern correctional facility aligned with international standards.
Strengthening Prison Oversight and Justice Reforms
The Ministry of Justice has been actively engaged in broader justice sector reforms through the Joint Justice and Corrections Programme (JJCP), a flagship initiative implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and other agencies. The JJCP has focused on improvements in legal aid provision, court infrastructure, judicial training, and prison management reforms, with emphasis on finalizing key legislative reforms, enhancing coordination between federal and state justice institutions, and continuing capacity-building for legal professionals and correctional officers.
Minister Moallin has stressed that equitable access to justice for all Somalis must be at the heart of any legal reform. He has chaired senior leadership meetings dedicated to evaluating progress on priority projects, including ongoing constitutional review processes and judicial reforms. The ministry has been actively working on modernizing Somalia’s legal framework, including the introduction of a new Criminal Code to replace the outdated 1962 legislation.
In line with the meeting’s focus on justice for vulnerable populations, the Ministry has also hosted national forums on aligning customary justice practices with the rule of law. In May 2025, the Ministry hosted a national town hall in Mogadishu bringing together senior government officials, legal experts, academics, women, youth, and community leaders to discuss how traditional dispute resolution systems can be better integrated with formal judicial institutions. The forum highlighted the gap between traditional practices and formal justice, affirming the Ministry’s leadership in efforts to harmonize both systems.
Dr. Maryan Khasim and the NIHRC’s Mandate
Dr. Maryam Qasim Ahmed was elected Chairperson of Somalia’s Independent Human Rights Commission in February 2026, bringing over forty years of expertise in public administration and social services to the role. She has previously held high-level portfolios, including Minister of Health, Minister of Education and Social Services, and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. Her election coincided with national initiatives to reinforce independent establishments and ensure Somalia can independently fulfill its international obligations regarding human rights defense.
The NIHRC is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring accountability, monitoring abuses, and giving voice to victims long silenced by conflict. Its establishment marked a new chapter in Somalia’s democratic transition, where respect for rights are increasingly viewed as essential to lasting peace. The Commission has also been actively engaged in advancing child welfare and other vulnerable population issues. Dr. Qasim has met with UNICEF’s Somalia representative to enhance collaboration on child protection, promoting and protecting children’s rights, and improving national mechanisms for child welfare and safety.
The meeting between Minister Moallim and Dr. Qasim represents a concrete step toward addressing systemic challenges within Somalia’s justice and corrections systems, including the treatment of detainees, prison conditions, and access to justice for marginalized communities. Ongoing international engagement, including cooperation with Egypt and regional conferences on asset recovery, supports Somalia’s justice sector development and alignment with international human rights standards. The Ministry and Commission have agreed to continue their joint efforts through regular coordination meetings and technical working groups focused on specific reform priorities.
