Civilian Protection, Justice and Accountability Must Be a National Priority for Libya
Recent events in Libya have once again laid bare security and other actors' persistent failure to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law and underlines the urgent need to break cycles of violence and impunity. The blatant disregard for fundamental human rights is not only a moral and legal outrage – it is a primary driver of Libya's enduring cycles of instability and conflict.
On January 12, shocking videos emerged from Gernada detention facility, exposing the torture and ill-treatment detainees endured. Dozens of Libyan and some foreign detainees were seen forced into stress positions, beaten with sticks, and violently kicked by guards. On May 5, more harrowing images surfaced of Ibrahim Al-Dersi, a member of the House of Representatives, who has been missing for a year, was shown held in chains and bearing visible signs of torture. These are not isolated incidents; they are documented by UNSMIL and other independent monitors and reflect a deeply entrenched pattern of abuse where armed groups operate without fear of accountability.
As people still reeled from the Al-Dersi videos, days later, on May 12, the killing of a militia leader in Tripoli triggered retaliatory violence, indicative of the volatile grip of armed groups. Sadly, civilians have borne the brunt of these clashes and several persons have been killed or injured. There was extensive damage to property, including protected infrastructure such as hospitals. Schools and universities were closed with air travel suspended.
Following the clashes, thousands of Libyans took to the streets of Tripoli, demanding political change and the withdrawal of armed groups from the capital. Some protesters were met with excessive force and violence. A protester and a police officer were confirmed killed, with reports of more injuries and violence. These events underscore the urgent need to guarantee the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and assembly, as well as the need to protect civic space.
Across Libya, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detentions, and deaths in custody persist. Security actors aligned with governing authorities across the country continue to target journalists, human rights defenders, political opponents, judicial officials, and other citizens. Video evidence from facilities previously controlled by the Stability Support Apparatus, including unofficial detention sites, such as the Abu Salim Zoo, reveals patterns of torture and inhumane conditions.
These are not isolated incidents; they are methods of systematic repression used to silence dissent and instill fear. The zoo, a site that once held animals, became a place of unimaginable human suffering featuring minuscule dark cells. Even more chilling is that credible reports point to a mass grave in the vicinity. It is imperative that the entire area be treated as a crime scene and secured to ensure evidence preservation for future accountability processes.
Al-Dersi's case and several others, is emblematic of a deeper national crisis—one in which the rule of law is subverted, justice is denied, and the rights and dignity of detainees is blatantly disregarded. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, remain illegally incarcerated across the country, numerous others have simply disappeared. Behind every disappearance is a grieving family desperately searching for answers and very often afraid to come forward to tell their story for fear of retaliation. Many cases remain unresolved from political activist Abdel Moez Banoun, missing since 2014, to parliamentarian Seham Sergiwa, abducted in 2019. The fate of the disappeared continues to torment families.
These violations may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Libya's acceptance of the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction for alleged crimes in its territory from 2011 to the end of 2027 is a step in the right direction, but it must be coupled with concrete action. This includes full cooperation on outstanding arrest warrants and the surrender of individuals wanted by the Court.
Fourteen years since the February 17 revolution, Libya remains mired in a legacy of unchecked violence. Ongoing human rights violations, which have become normalized, continue to fuel resentment, deepen fractures and undermine national reconciliation. Continued impunity erodes public trust, weakens institutions, and obstructs Libya's democratic transition, including the possibility of free and fair elections.
Entrenching the rule of law requires strong and independent judicial institutions along with structural reform to establish a professional and accountable security apparatus that serves the people and upholds human rights for all. UNSMIL intends to launch a political process shortly to consult Libyans on a roadmap that would lead to, amongst other things, the formation of one government that has the mandate of the people and upholds fundamental human rights and freedoms, including economic and social rights.
The recently brokered truce that brought an end to last week's conflict between armed groups in Tripoli offers a critical opportunity for a reset. It must be an unconditional and permanent ceasefire which centralizes civilian protection and respect for international humanitarian and human rights law. The truce committee convened by the Presidency Council and under UNSMIL auspices affords the opportunity to bring the recurring cycles of conflict in Tripoli to an end. UNSMIL will mobilize its resources to support that outcome.
The protection of civilians is not a political choice, it is a legal obligation, a national imperative and a barometer for Libya's path towards peace, stability, and prosperity.
*Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)
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