Commissioner Mohamed Harun brings over a decade of dedicated leadership and advocacy experience to his role as Deputy Chair of the National Independent Human Rights Commission (NIHRC). A lifelong champion for the rights of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable communities, Mr. Harun is a key architect of inclusive, rights-based governance in Somalia. His distinguished career seamlessly blends high-level policy expertise with deep, practical experience in the humanitarian and social sectors.
From 2018 to 2021, Commissioner Harun served as a senior adviser to Somalia’s Federal Government on disability issues. In this pivotal role, he was the principal architect of the government’s Disability Agenda, which was grounded in the progressive Social Model of Disability.
His efforts were instrumental in the establishment of the National Disability Agency and in shepherding Somalia through the signing and ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). He also spearheaded the push for local disability rights legislation, laying a critical legal foundation for protecting vulnerable populations.
His advocacy is rooted in lived experience and early action. From 2007 to 2009, as the Deputy Chair of the Horn of Africa Blind Society (HABS), he helped secure international funding and oversaw educational projects, including support for Somaliland’s first school for blind students.
Commissioner Harun possesses a unique ability to translate research into tangible policy impact. He currently contributes as an associate researcher at the Hilin Institute, a strategic think tank. His co-authored 2023 policy paper, “How Can We Accommodate Students with Special Needs and Disabilities,” presented at Somalia’s National Education Conference, has directly influenced policy development within the Ministry of Education.
His prior consultancy with the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) further demonstrates his strategic planning capabilities. He co-authored the Human Capital Development Strategy for Somalia, focusing on the critical intersection of education, employment, and employability for persons with disabilities.
Between September 2023 and March 2025, he advised the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development, directly shaping policy frameworks for child and disability rights. Since 2022, he has also served as Managing Director at Afnaq Firm, overseeing projects that improve accessibility and communication through translation and interpretation services.
Educationally, Mr. Harun holds a Master’s degree in Social and Public Policy from the University of Leeds and a Bachelor’s in International Relations and Global Development from the University of Derby. This strong academic foundation is complemented by specialized training in inclusive education. Having experienced the disruption of civil conflict in his own early schooling in Somalia and Ethiopia, his professional mission is deeply personal: to ensure every citizen has access to education and social equity.
Fluent in Somali and English, with working knowledge of Arabic, he is also deeply passionate about Somali literature and translation. He views literature as a vital tool for preserving cultural heritage and fostering social understanding.
As Deputy Chair of the NIHRC, Commissioner Mohamed Harun is dedicated to strengthening institutional responsiveness, expanding protections for marginalized groups, and ensuring that the human rights of all Somali citizens are a lived reality.