“Language is a cornerstone of personal identity, reflecting your essence and lineage. Delving into history imbues the present with meaning, especially considering Somalia’s rich oral traditions, which showcase its vibrant diversity and cultural legacy,” stated Kirsten Young, Chief of UNSOM’s Human Rights and Protection Group, at the Mogadishu launch event.
Community representatives and museum officials also graced the event, unveiling multilingual versions of the UDHR and related artwork that embodies the essence of linguistic communities.
Young highlighted this event as the climax of a prolonged project involving diverse groups, emphasizing the inclusivity of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which belongs to everyone.
“Enhancing accessibility by offering it in multiple languages fosters inclusivity, ensuring people recognize their human rights and feel empowered to claim them,” she asserted.
Osman Geedow Amir, Director of the National Museum, lauded the initiative for aiding individuals and communities in comprehending and embracing their rights through their native tongues.
Amir mentioned the project’s harmony with the museum’s mission of promoting unity, fostering community cohesion, and supporting the preservation of cultural heritage.
“Displaying the UDHR in various dialects demystifies or localizes human rights, often neglected in Somalia,” he noted.
The UDHR, adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948, for the first time spelled out essential human rights deserving universal safeguarding, laying the groundwork for over 70 human rights treaties currently enforced at both global and regional levels.
