In a powerful stride toward a more inclusive and equitable justice system, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Somaliland on Monday convened a high-level consultative workshop on the transformative Legal Aid Bill with the Parliamentary Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Laws and Human Rights.
The groundbreaking legislation aims to guarantee quality legal assistance to every citizen — with special focus on the vulnerable, marginalized, and underserved — ensuring that fundamental rights are not just written on paper but fiercely protected in practice.
The vibrant launch ceremony was spearheaded by Hon. Yonis Ahmed Yonis, Minister of Justice, alongside Director General Hon. Mahmoud Abdirisak Abdi. The event brought together a formidable coalition of stakeholders, including the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Rules Committee, senior UNDP officials, Custodial Corps leaders, representatives from the Attorney General’s Office, judges, lawyers, and legal experts who played key roles in drafting the Act.
Civil society added significant energy to the gathering, with strong participation from the Somaliland Women Lawyers Association (SWLA), human rights defenders, and judicial development specialists.
Speakers at the workshop described the proposed law as a historic milestone that will dramatically expand free and affordable legal aid across the nation, restore public trust in the judiciary, and reinforce the rule of law.
The Ministry of Justice emphasized its commitment to building an accessible, fair, and transparent justice framework through inclusive dialogue and collaborative policymaking. By advancing this ambitious initiative, Somaliland is laying a solid foundation for lasting peace, social harmony, and national development rooted in equality and justice for all.