Somalia Launches Juvenile Justice Law to Strengthen Child Protection

Somalia has launched a new juvenile justice law aimed at establishing a justice system tailored to the rights and needs of children and young people, authorities said on Sunday.

The launch ceremony in Mogadishu brought together officials from the federal government and member states, as well as representatives of security and judicial institutions, international organisations and civil society.

In his address at the ceremony, Interior Security Minister Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail said security agencies would work with relevant authorities to implement the law and ensure that children’s rights are protected throughout the justice process.

In turn, Nisar Sayed, deputy representative for programmes at UNICEF Somalia, described the adoption of the law as a historic step towards building a justice system that protects children’s rights, dignity and future.

The law is expected to establish a dedicated framework for dealing with children and young people who come into contact with the justice system, with greater emphasis on protection, rehabilitation and reintegration.

The initiative comes as Somalia seeks to strengthen its legal and institutional frameworks for child protection and ensure that children in conflict with the law are treated in accordance with their specific needs and rights.