HRC63 Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR report on technical assistance to Somalia

63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council Item 10: Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR report on technical assistance to Somalia. Statement by Nordic-Baltic States, delivered by Ambassador Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Permanent Representative of Finland on 1 October 2026.

 

Thank you, Mr. President.

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.

We thank the High Commissioner for the report and OHCHR’s continued engagement with Somalia.

We welcome Somalia’s efforts to strengthen its human rights framework and cooperation with international human rights mechanisms. Sustaining progress requires legislation anchored in Somalia’s international human rights obligations.

We are concerned by the constitutional amendment lowering the age of maturity from 18 to 15 leaving 15- to 17-year-olds without adequate protection. We also remain concerned by the draft Penal Code, including provisions affecting women and children, sexual and gender-based violence, freedom of expression, the death penalty and corporal punishment.

We urge Somalia to ensure that legislative reforms uphold its international human rights obligations.

High Commissioner, as Somalia transitions to a new UN configuration, how can OHCHR best support Somalia in ensuring that ongoing legislative reforms strengthen human rights protection and accountability?

 

Thank you.