The University of Hargeisa, through the Legal Aid Clinic Human Rights Unit under the Faculty of Law, has successfully concluded a two-day training on Human Rights and Refugee Law for 100 members of the Somaliland Police Force. The participants included 50 senior police officers, while the remaining 50 participants were drawn from various ranks of the force, including corporals, lance corporals, and other junior personnel. This training is part of a long-standing capacity-building program implemented by the University of Hargeisa, through which more than 700 members of the Somaliland Police Force have been trained to date. The program was organized in partnership with UNHCR to strengthen the knowledge and professional capacity of police officers in the field of human rights.

Throughout the training, participants received practical and theoretical instruction on the protection of fundamental human rights, refugee law, and the appropriate treatment of individuals in police custody. The sessions emphasized the importance of safeguarding the dignity, rights, and well-being of detainees while ensuring that law enforcement practices comply with both national legislation and international human rights standards. The training particularly benefited officers from the Somaliland Police Headquarters and commanders responsible for police stations across the country.

The closing ceremony was jointly officiated by the Commander of the Somaliland Police Force, Major General Abdirahman Abdillahi Hassan (Abdi Dheere), and the Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University of Hargeisa, Dr. Fu’ad Cabdi Obsiiye. The Police Commander commended the University of Hargeisa for its continued contribution to enhancing the knowledge and professional competence of the Somaliland Police Force, noting that such training programs play a vital role in strengthening human rights protection and improving police service delivery. In his remarks, Dr. Fu’ad Cabdi Obsiiye reaffirmed the University’s commitment to continuing capacity-building initiatives that support national institutions and strengthen its partnership with the Somaliland Police Force. The ceremony was also attended by the Commandant of the Police Officers Training College, Colonel Hibo Salah Saciid, her deputy, and other senior officers of the Somaliland Police Force.