Somali rights leaders gather in Brussels to advance human rights, peacebuilding collaboration

BRUSSELS — Somali-born human rights advocate Hassan Shire met Wednesday with Dr. Khadija Ossoble Ali, Somalia’s ambassador to the Benelux Union and the European Union, to discuss strengthening cooperation on human rights, peacebuilding and civil society engagement in Somalia, participants said.

The meeting in Brussels focused on how Somali civil society organizations can work more closely with Somalia’s diplomatic missions abroad to advance justice, accountability and sustainable peace. Both sides underscored their long-standing professional relationship and shared commitment to rights-based governance and inclusive policymaking, according to those familiar with the discussions.

The talks come as Somalia faces evolving political and humanitarian challenges, including the ongoing consolidation of federal institutions, long-running security concerns and persistent needs stemming from displacement, drought and flood cycles. Participants said the conversation emphasized a bottom-up approach that connects communities to national and international policy frameworks through transparent engagement and institutional capacity building.

Key areas outlined for deeper cooperation included:

• Strengthening protection and support for human rights defenders in Somalia and within the Somali diaspora.
• Deepening collaboration between Somali civil society networks and diplomatic missions in the EU and beyond.
• Supporting social programs that bolster community resilience and civic participation.
• Building institutional and community capacity for rights monitoring, advocacy and service delivery.
• Promoting policy design grounded in human rights principles and evidence-based practice.

Shire is the executive director of DefendDefenders and chairperson of AfricanDefenders, regional organizations that support and protect human rights defenders across East and Southern Africa and the wider African continent. His role places him at the intersection of grassroots advocacy and international policy conversations, a position that participants said was central to the meeting’s emphasis on practical coordination.

Ambassador Ossoble Ali, a veteran humanitarian, is a founding member of the Peace and Human Rights Network Somalia, a national umbrella organization that works to strengthen human rights protection, promote peacebuilding initiatives and enhance the role of civil society across the country. Her career has bridged civil society and diplomatic service, offering a dual vantage point on how international partnerships can feed tangible results on the ground.

The two leaders also noted their shared institutional history. Shire previously served as chairperson of the Peace and Human Rights Network from 1998 to 2001, a period that helped seed durable civic coalitions within Somalia and among diaspora communities. That continuity, participants said, has informed current efforts to unify advocacy strategies across local, regional and international arenas.

The Brussels meeting highlighted the importance of aligning rights advocacy with state-building priorities in Somalia, where civil society organizations often operate as frontline responders and watchdogs. Participants said the conversation sought to move beyond statements of intent toward practical cooperation—such as joint consultations, capacity development and coordinated policy inputs—aimed at improving protection frameworks and accountability mechanisms.

DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders have long advocated for safe and enabling environments for rights work across Africa, providing emergency support, training and advocacy. Linking those regional networks with Somalia’s diplomatic outreach in Europe, participants said, could help channel resources, visibility and policy momentum to Somali civic actors confronting complex and fast-changing conditions at home.

While no specific initiatives were announced, the parties agreed to expand their engagement in the months ahead, with an eye toward initiatives that reinforce Somalia’s legal protections, elevate community voices in decision-making and strengthen connections between civil society and state institutions.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.