Date of publication:
01/07/2026
Somalia
Do domestic laws and policies provide access to asylum procedures for people seeking asylum?
Assessment by population
Analysis
The Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland have established legal frameworks that provide asylum-seekers with access to fair and efficient procedures for refugee status determination. Both jurisdictions uphold the right to due process, ensuring that asylum applications are assessed in a structured and timely manner. The Somalia Refugees and Asylum Seekers Law and The Puntland Refugee Protection Law mandates that asylum-seekers be given an opportunity to present their claims through a formal application process, with decisions made within a defined timeframe. Somaliland’s Refugees and Asylum Seekers Law outlines similar procedural guarantees, requiring applications to be reviewed based on clear criteria while allowing asylum-seekers to remain in the country until a decision is reached. These legal provisions reflect compliance with international refugee protection standards, ensuring that claims are adjudicated fairly and efficiently.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
Puntland Refugee Protection Law
- Year: 2016
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
Legal provision
Article 9.5 - Recognition of a Refugee
The Authorized Officer shall interview the applicant and reduce the interview into writing. The transcript shall be read to the applicant who may make corrections before it is signed by both the interviewing officer and the applicant.
Article 5 - Non-discrimination
1. This law shall be applied without discrimination as to race, religion, tribe, nationality, membership of a particular group, or political opinion. 2. The protection and assistance to Refugees should be provided without discrimination as stipulated in subarticle 5(1).
Article 6.1 - Confidentiality and privacy
No one shall disclose information acquired under this Law except; a) as required under this Law; or b) with the written consent of the Minister or Director; or c) with the written consent of the subject of the information.
Article 16.1 - Withdrawal of refugee status
If at any time the Minister considers that there are serious grounds for believing that a person who has been recognized as a Refugee should not have been recognized or has ceased to be a refugee, it may cancel the refugee status given after notifying the refugee concerned in writing and giving him the opportunity to explain about the issue
Article 16.2 - Withdrawal of refugee status
A person aggrieved by the decision by the Minister can appeal within thirty days of receiving the decision to the Appeal Board.
Somaliland Refugee Protection Law
- Year: 2023
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
Legal provision
Article 17 - Reviewing the Applications
As soon as the application is received, the registration office will commence reviewing the applications following the provisions of this law, regulations, and other guidelines under this law.
Somalia Refugees and Asylum Seekers Law
- Year: 2023
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
Legal provision
Article 9.1 - Somalia Refugee Law:
Before making a decision on any application, the Refugee Status Determination Committee must give the applicant an opportunity to be heard and provide an interpreter if necessary.
Article 8.1 - Somalia Refugee Law:
Any person present within the territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia may apply for refugee status under this law.