The Federal Parliament of Somalia has today approved the African Charter on the Rights of the Child, with 130 MPs voting in favor, 10 opposing, and five abstaining.
The decision has sparked intense debate and controversy. Some opposing MPs described the law as conflicting with Somali culture and Islamic Sharia, arguing that Sharia sets the age of maturity at 15, while the Charter establishes it at 18. These MPs criticized the law as being influenced by foreign legal systems.
Additionally, some lawmakers criticized campaigns supporting the approval, urging caution against “imposing foreign laws on Somali society.”
On the other hand, MPs who supported the Charter highlighted its importance in protecting the rights of Somali children, particularly in preventing child recruitment into armed forces and other abuses.
Although the approval is considered a significant step by Parliament, political and religious disagreements remain over the implementation of the Charter, as noted by the Ministry of Family Affairs
