Mogadishu – The power of film to tell stories about human rights in Somalia was celebrated today with the culmination of the country’s first-ever film competition centred on human rights and supported by the United Nations.
 
“Audio-visual art is a powerful medium to translate human rights into the day-to-day lives of all Somalis. Art can also serve as a catalyst for dialogue, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the principles enshrined in the UDHR [Universal Declaration of Human Rights],” said the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Anita Kiki Gbeho.
 
The senior UN official was speaking at the awards ceremony for the Human Rights Short Film Competition in Somalia, organised by the National Theatre of Somalia and the United Nations, in cooperation with the Ministry of Women & Human Rights Development and the Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism, and held to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). 

The ceremony took place at the National Theatre’s premises in Mogadishu, with the films of the five visual artists who reached the competition’s final stages presented to an audience of 50 people, made up of government officials, artists, journalists and film enthusiasts. 
 
“This event not only celebrates our shared values but also ignites our collective imagination towards a future where dignity and justice are unalienable rights afforded to all,” the Deputy Minister of Women and Human Rights Development, Abdihakim Jimcale Aden, said. 
 
The competition provided a platform for Somali filmmakers to showcase their talents while addressing human rights issues in Somalia through the power of storytelling and the medium of film.

The winning entry was ‘Kiin’ – a Somali girl’s name – directed by film producer Ahmed Aweys Hassan.
 
“I choose to produce films that touch on human rights subject, because it is the only way to speak for the voiceless people – this is the only way to give them a voice,” Mr. Hassan said after being presented with his award.
 
His short film’s scriptwriter was Ibtisam Yahye. She spoke about the importance of eliciting emotions in the audience to make them want to act and stand-up for human rights. 

“I believe that our film invokes a lot of emotions in people, and this is the best way to make them feel the injustices that are going on in the world. It is always good to show them and not tell them, to make them feel so that they will act,” Ms. Yahye said. 
 
The first runner-up in the competition was Abdisamad Hassan Omer, also known as ‘Biriye,’ with his film ‘Qab iyo Iil’ (transl.: ‘Arrogance and Grave’), while Salman Osman Shariif placed third with his animated short film ‘Wali waxaan leeyahay rajo’ (transl. ‘I still have hope’).
 
"My film focuses on one aspect of injustice in our society, which is employment. I wanted to show that sometimes people are favoured because of their connections, which is not right. I wanted to portray the idea of equality for all," said Mr. Omer, who is an accountant by day and a filmmaker by night. 
 
"It is extremely difficult to capture human rights violations as they occur. There is so much history and context to these injustices, and I thought that a film would be the best way to show the context of these injustices,” Mr. Shariif, the second runner-up, reflected on his film. 

The other two filmmakers to make it to the finals were Zahra Abdihagi Mahamed, the director of ‘Ka Talaabidda Caqabadaha’ (transl.: ‘Breaking Barriers’), and Shakir Mohamed Abdullahi for his animated short film ‘Danyar’ (transl.: ‘Deprived’).
  
“The short films showcasing Somalia’s culture are proof of Somalia’s commitment to advance and protect its citizens’ rights to enjoy their cultural heritage and express themselves freely,” Ms. Gbeho said.
 
Organised around the theme of “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All,” the Human Rights Short Film Competition was part of a global campaign to commemorate the UDHR’s 75th anniversary and promote human rights awareness. 
 
Universal Declaration

The UHDR was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948. It was the first time that countries agreed on a comprehensive basis of inalienable human rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
 
A range of activities have been held around the globe to mark the UDHR’s 75th anniversary. In Somalia, in addition to the short film competition, consultations and dialogues on the role of human rights were held at federal and regional levels, and an art competition was held in Mogadishu. 
 
Somalia’s provisional federal Constitution, adopted in 2012, promotes human rights and recognises all citizens’ equal rights. In addition, constitutions adopted by some of the country’s Federal Member States also contain chapters and provisions upholding human rights.