MOGADISHU — The Federal Government of Somalia has officially enacted the Juvenile Justice Law (Sharciga Cadaaladda Da’yarta Soomaaliyeed), a landmark piece of legislation aimed at reforming the country’s approach to children in conflict with the law. The law was signed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud following its approval by both houses of the Federal Parliament.
The new law establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the treatment of minors within the justice system, covering the arrest, detention, prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration of children who come into contact with the law. It is designed to align Somalia’s domestic legal framework with international standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, which Somalia ratified in April 2026.
Somalia’s ratification of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child marked a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and strengthening national systems to safeguard the well-being of every Somali child. The Juvenile Justice Law builds on this commitment by establishing specialized procedures and institutions for handling child offenders.
Key Provisions of the Juvenile Justice Law
The legislation establishes specialized juvenile courts at both the district and regional levels, staffed by judges specifically trained in child justice. It mandates the creation of a dedicated juvenile police unit within each police station to handle cases involving minors, ensuring that children are treated with appropriate sensitivity from the moment of first contact with law enforcement.
The law emphasizes diversion and alternatives to detention, promoting the use of community-based rehabilitation programs, education, and reintegration services for children in conflict with the law. It requires the establishment of rehabilitation centers and social reintegration programs to support children who have been through the justice system.
Under the new law, children have the right to legal assistance and to proceedings that they can understand. The law also emphasizes the importance of considering the psychological and physical well-being of children throughout the judicial process and provides for the development of shelters and rehabilitation facilities.
Legislative Progress and International Alignment
The ratification of the African Charter followed significant legislative progress within Somalia’s Federal Parliament. In May 2025, the Somali Federal Parliament conducted the first reading of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child alongside the International Judicial Cooperation Bill. During that parliamentary session, chaired by Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe, Minister of Family Affairs and Human Rights Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Hassan Moallim briefed lawmakers on the core principles and implications of both legislative items, emphasizing the importance of aligning Somalia’s legal framework with international standards to enhance child protection.
Minister Al-Makhzoumi has been actively engaged in advancing human rights on multiple fronts. In October 2025, she intensified diplomatic engagements in Geneva as Somalia sought to reclaim full national oversight of its human rights agenda, holding high-level bilateral meetings with ambassadors from friendly nations including Kuwait, Qatar, and Türkiye.
Implementation Challenges
While the enactment of the Juvenile Justice Law represents a significant step forward, its implementation faces considerable challenges. The law requires the training of judges, prosecutors, police, corrections officers, and social workers. These institutions currently lack the specialized capacity to implement the new procedures and standards outlined in the legislation.
The establishment of juvenile police units, specialized courts, and rehabilitation centers will require sustained financial investment and political will, which has historically been lacking in Somalia’s justice sector.
International Context
The Juvenile Justice Law raises the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 15 years. While this represents progress, it still falls short of international standards, which recommend a minimum age of 14, with advocates pushing for higher thresholds.
Somalia’s juvenile justice system has historically faced significant challenges, including prolonged pretrial detention, lack of legal representation for minors, and inadequate rehabilitation services. The new law seeks to address these gaps by establishing clear procedures and protections for children in the justice system.
Critical Note
The enactment of the Juvenile Justice Law is a significant step forward for Somalia’s commitment to children’s rights and aligns with the country’s international obligations. However, the gap between legislative intent and practical implementation remains substantial. The law’s success will depend on the government’s ability to allocate adequate resources, train justice sector personnel, and establish the necessary infrastructure for rehabilitation and reintegration.
While the law’s provisions on diversion and alternatives to detention are commendable, it is crucial to ensure that these are implemented in practice, not just in principle. The establishment of specialized juvenile courts and police units must be accompanied by robust oversight mechanisms to prevent the continued arbitrary detention of children. Somalia’s justice sector has a history of weak enforcement and corruption, and without sustained investment and political will, this progressive legislation may remain largely symbolic. The international community must support Somalia in translating these commitments into tangible improvements for children in contact with the law, ensuring that the country’s most vulnerable citizens are afforded the protection they deserve.
