HRC 63 – Oral statement on the situation in Somalia
Accountability & Rule of Law - Gender Equality & GBV - Somalia - Advocacy
Human Rights Council 63rd Session
Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review – Somalia
24 September 2026
Mr. President,
Somalia has taken important legislative steps to address violence against women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence.
The challenge now is implementation.
Legal Action Worldwide has represented 80 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence before Somali courts, contributing to the conviction of 55 perpetrators. In one recent case, three men convicted of the gang rape of a 21-year-old woman were each sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and ordered to pay compensation.
These cases show that accountability is possible when survivors can access functioning, independent, and adequately resourced justice mechanisms.
LAW encourages Somalia to ratify and implement outstanding international and regional human rights instruments, including CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol, and to establish clear benchmarks for implementation of its domestic legal framework.
Mr. President,
how can the Council support Somalia in strengthening access to justice for women and girls and in translating its legal commitments into practice?
Thank you.