Putting human rights into action for children
The Children’s Legal Defense Center provides legal defense to imprisoned children in Somaliland—turning rights on paper into real protection in courtrooms.
Our mission is to use criminal defense to put human rights into action for children in Somaliland.
Our Story
What started with a desk near the courthouse in Hargeisa has grown into a sustained effort to get imprisoned children home.
Our Work
We use criminal defense to ensure that children’s rights are upheld in practice and that the law is applied in every case.
In Somaliland, children’s rights exist on paper—but without legal defense, they are often not realized.
We put a lawyer beside them to defend their rights in court and turn the promise of the law into reality.
How it works
Take Cases
We identify imprisoned children
Provide Defense
We defend them in court
Challenge Violations
We fight for their rights
Drive System Change
We set legal precedents
Our Focus Areas
Human Rights Defense
Death Penalty Cases
Coerced Confessions
Gender Justice
Your support makes justice real
3,125
Children Defended
1,966
Released from Detention
652
Prison Sentences Reduced