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MOGADISHU — H.E. Dr. Mariam Qasim Ahmed has been elected Chairperson of the Independent National Human Rights Commission of Somalia following a vote held in Mogadishu. This step marks a historic milestone in the nation’s human rights oversight, as reported by the Somali National News Agency (SONNA).
The electoral session featured competition among several national figures, with Dr. Mariam securing the leadership of this independent constitutional institution, the first of its kind in Somalia’s modern history aimed at strengthening national human rights monitoring.
Dr. Mariam Qasim brings a distinguished professional career spanning over four decades, having previously held sovereign ministerial portfolios, including Health, Education, Social Services, and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.
In statements carried by SONNA, the new Chairperson affirmed her steadfast commitment to protecting human rights and implementing necessary institutional reforms to ensure justice, the rule of law, and the protection of the most vulnerable groups in Somali society.
The Commission consists of nine members selected through rigorous competitive criteria and a national examination held in May 2025, with their appointments subsequently approved by the Council of Ministers in accordance with the legal framework governing independent bodies.
The activation of the Commission follows President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s signing of its governing law in December 2025, as part of a national plan to transition human rights oversight responsibilities from international organizations to sovereign national institutions.
This move coincides with the conclusion of the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on Human Rights in Somalia, at the request of the Federal Government, which confirmed the readiness of its national institutions to assume full responsibility for monitoring, documentation, and accountability.
The Commission serves as a fundamental pillar of democratic transformation, tasked with documenting violations, supporting victims, and providing technical advice to the government on rights-based governance in alignment with international standards and treaties.
The step was widely welcomed by civil society organizations, which viewed it as a sustainable framework for enhancing accountability and providing comprehensive protection under national leadership, thereby boosting public confidence in the state’s judicial and rights institutions.
The event concluded by highlighting that Dr. Mariam’s leadership reflects Somalia’s vision for modernizing oversight bodies and relying on academic expertise capable of managing vital files that support the nation’s path toward stability and sustainable development, according to SONNA.
The Independent National Human Rights Commission of Somalia is a high-level constitutional body enjoying financial and administrative independence. Its primary functions include monitoring human rights conditions, investigating violations, promoting a culture of public rights and freedoms, and ensuring national legislation aligns with international conventions, serving as a primary safeguard for citizens’ dignity and fundamental rights.
