Earning Public Trust Through Openness and Integrity
The National Independent Human Rights Commission of Somalia is committed to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.
As a constitutionally established independent institution, the Commission recognises that public trust is its greatest asset. Transparency is therefore not optional — it is a legal, moral, and professional obligation.
12.1 WHY TRANSPARENCY MATTERS
Transparency and accountability ensure that the Commission:
- Exercises its mandate independently and responsibly
- Uses public resources lawfully and efficiently
- Acts impartially and professionally
- Is accountable to Parliament and the people
- Meets international standards for National Human Rights Institutions
Transparency strengthens:
- Democracy
- Rule of law
- Institutional credibility
- Public confidence
12.2 LEGAL BASIS FOR TRANSPARENCY
The Commission’s commitment to transparency is grounded in:
- The Provisional Constitution of Somalia
- Sharci Lr. 16 (2016)
- Public finance and audit laws
- The Paris Principles
- International best practice for independent oversight institutions
12.3 ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK
The Commission is accountable through multiple, complementary mechanisms, ensuring independence without impunity.
A. Accountability to Parliament
- Submission of Annual Reports
- Engagement with parliamentary committees
- Provision of evidence-based recommendations
- Follow-up on parliamentary resolutions
Parliamentary oversight respects the Commission’s independence while ensuring democratic accountability.
B. Accountability to the Law
- All actions must comply with the Constitution and national law
- Decisions are subject to judicial review where applicable
- Jury panel decisions may be challenged in court as provided by law
C. Accountability to the Public
- Publication of reports and findings
- Open access to information
- Clear complaints mechanisms
- Public explanations of mandate and limitations
12.4 TRANSPARENCY IN DECISION-MAKING
The Commission ensures transparency by:
- Documenting decisions formally
- Recording resolutions of Commission meetings
- Publishing non-confidential outcomes of investigations
- Issuing public recommendations and statements
Where confidentiality is required (e.g. protection of victims), transparency is balanced with safety and dignity.
12.5 FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Responsible Use of Public Resources
The Commission manages public funds with integrity and independence.
Financial transparency measures include:
- Preparation and publication of annual budgets
- Independent execution of the approved budget
- Compliance with national financial management laws
- External audits by authorised audit institutions
- Publication of audit summaries where appropriate
No individual Commissioner or staff member may use Commission resources for personal benefit.
12.6 PROCUREMENT TRANSPARENCY
The Commission ensures transparency in procurement by:
- Publishing procurement plans
- Advertising open tenders publicly
- Applying objective evaluation criteria
- Publishing contract award notices
Procurement decisions are subject to:
- Internal controls
- Audit review
- Oversight mechanisms
12.7 HUMAN RESOURCES TRANSPARENCY
Transparency in staffing includes:
- Public advertisement of vacancies
- Merit-based recruitment processes
- Clear job descriptions and selection criteria
- Equal opportunity and non-discrimination
This protects the Commission from patronage, favoritism, or political influence.
12.8 CODE OF CONDUCT & ETHICS
Integrity as an Institutional Culture
All Commissioners and staff are bound by a Code of Conduct and Ethics, which requires:
- Independence and impartiality
- Respect for human dignity
- Confidentiality
- Avoidance of conflicts of interest
- Professional behavior at all times
Violations of the Code are addressed through disciplinary procedures.
12.9 CONFLICT OF INTEREST MANAGEMENT
To protect institutional integrity, the Commission requires:
- Declaration of interests by Commissioners and senior staff
- Recusal from matters where conflicts exist
- Prohibition of personal gain from official duties
Conflicts of interest undermine independence and are treated seriously.
12.10 COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE COMMISSION
No Institution Is Above Scrutiny
The Commission accepts that accountability applies to itself as well.
Mechanisms include:
- Internal complaints handling procedures
- Judicial review of decisions where applicable
- Parliamentary oversight
- Audit and compliance reviews
This ensures the Commission remains subject to the rule of law.
12.11 ACCESS TO INFORMATION
The Commission promotes access to information by:
- Publishing reports, statements, and key documents
- Maintaining a public digital library
- Providing explanations of its mandate and processes
Requests for information are handled in accordance with the law, balancing transparency with confidentiality.
12.12 MONITORING & EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE
The Commission assesses its own performance through:
- Strategic planning and annual work plans
- Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
- Internal reviews and learning processes
Performance evaluation strengthens effectiveness and accountability.
12.13 INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY
The Commission demonstrates transparency internationally by:
- Participating in GANHRI accreditation reviews
- Engaging openly with UN and African mechanisms
- Publishing international submissions and follow-up assessments
International accountability complements national oversight.