Thursday February 5, 2026
Brussels (HOL) — Somali-born human rights advocate Hassan Shire Wednesday met with Dr. Khadija Ossoble Ali, Somalia’s ambassador to the Benelux Union and the European Union to discuss on strengthening cooperation to advance human rights, peacebuilding and civil society engagement in Somalia.
Shire, the executive director of DefendDefenders and chairperson of AfricanDefenders and the ambassador also highlighted their long-standing professional relationship and shared commitment to justice, accountability and sustainable peace, participants said.
The meeting addressed Somalia’s evolving political and humanitarian challenges and explored ways to deepen collaboration between Somali civil society organizations and the country’s diplomatic missions abroad. Both sides emphasized the importance of supporting social programs, building institutional and community capacity, and shaping policies grounded in human rights principles.
Ambassador Ossoble Ali is a veteran humanitarian and 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.
Shire previously served as chairperson of the Peace and Human Rights Network from 1998 to 2001, underscoring the enduring collaboration and shared vision between the two leaders in promoting civic engagement, peace and human rights in Somalia.
DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders are regional human rights organizations that support and protect human rights defenders across East and Southern Africa and the wider African continent.