‘Our Worst Held Fears Are Being Confirmed': Dozens Of Bodies Discovered In Libya Mass Graves
4 June 2025
'Our worst held fears are being confirmed: dozens of bodies have been discovered at these sites, along with the discovery of suspected instruments of torture and abuse, and potential evidence of extrajudicial killings,' Türk said.
The sites where bodies were discovered are run by the Stabilization Support Apparatus (SSA), an armed group tasked with increasing Government security in the capital, Tripoli. They have long been suspected by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) – and independent rights experts – to be sites of torture and enforced disappearance.
Mr. Türk called for these sites to be sealed for forensic investigations to support accountability.
Libya has endured turmoil since the fall of the Muammar Gaddafi regime 15 years ago and the emergence of rival administrations in 2014: the UN-recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli and the Government of National Stability (GNS) based in Benghazi.
The UN has supported many ultimately unsuccessful attempts to reunite the country and transition to democratic governance.
Over 80 bodies discovered
In May, the leader of the SSA – Abdul Ghani al-Kikli – was killed, triggering clashes between armed groups and state security forces. Protests also emerged, calling for an end to violence in Tripoli. Multiple civilians were killed and infrastructure – including hospitals – damaged.
In the wake of this violence, 10 badly charred bodies were discovered at the SSA headquarters in the Abu Salim neighbourhood. 67 more bodies were discovered at hospitals in Abu Salim and Al Khadra hospitals, all in refrigerators and in various states of decay.
The UN human rights office OHCHR also said that a burial site was discovered at the Tripoli Zoo, which is run by the SSA.
The identities of the bodies are not known at this stage.
Human rights abuses, at all levels
These were not the first mass graves discovered in Libya. In February, two mass graves were discovered in Jakharrah and Al-Kufra with 10 and 93 bodies respectively. Many of these bodies were migrants who are uniquely vulnerable to human trafficking, forced disappearance and killings.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded over 1,000 migrant deaths and disappearances in Libya in 2024 alone.
Mr. Türk expressed concern not only about the bodies discovered recently in Tripoli and the human rights abuses they confirm, but also about the force with which protests were met near the end of last month.
'We have received reports that these protests were themselves met with unnecessary force, raising serious concerns with respect to the guarantee of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and assembly,' he said.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights also noted that images and videos of the bodies are circulating on social media, prompting him to call for preserving the dignity and privacy of victims.
Seal the sites, preserve the evidence
The Government of National Unity, the internationally-recognized administration based in Tripoli, announced the creation of two committees to investigate human rights abuses committed by State security forces, both in relation to the bodies and the protests.
While Türk noted this, he expressed concern that forensic authorities have not been allowed into the sites to examine and preserve related evidence.
He called on Libyan authorities to seal the recently discovered sites and promote immediate accountability efforts.
'Those responsible for these atrocious acts must be brought to justice without delay, in accordance with international standards,' he said.
Mr. Türk also urged all stakeholders to commit once more to transition attempts in order to move Libya towards an inclusive democracy once and for all, ending the 'recurring cycle of transitional agreements.'
'The people of Libya have clearly expressed their demand for truth and justice, and their yearning for a peaceful and safe way of life with human rights and freedoms at the front and centre,' the High Commissioner added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
an hour ago
- Scoop
UN Peacebuilding Commission ‘more Needed Than Ever' Amid Rising Conflict
20 June 2025 They shared their experiences at an event this week at UN Headquarters to mark 20 years of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). The intergovernmental advisory body supports countries emerging from conflict in areas such as governance, justice, reconciliation, institution-building and sustainable development. Pain and promise ' Liberia's story is one of pain, but also of promise,' Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf said in a video message. 'A nation once brought to its knees by protracted conflict now stands as a testimony to what is possible when national will is matched by international solidarity.' In August 2003, the Liberian Government, two rebel groups and several political parties signed a peace accord in Accra, Ghana, after 14 years of civil war. Building a new Liberia 'Knowing that Liberia could not return to what it was, we had to construct a new nation based on new governance structures of inclusion, transparency, justice and hope,' said the former President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Critical institutions such as the Central Bank, the judiciary, the anti-corruption commission, and even civil society organizations, had to be restructured or built from the ground up. And women played a central role in peace efforts by leading advocacy, mediation and community rebuilding. 'Importantly, also, Liberia's path to peace could not be walked alone,' she said. Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf pointed to the essential role played by the international community through the UN and its peacekeeping Mission UNMIL, regional bloc ECOWAS, the African Union, the European Union, and other entities. 'A work in progress' She also expressed gratitude to multilateral and bilateral partners – including the PBC – whose technical, financial and moral support laid the foundations for the peace enjoyed today. 'Liberia's peace remains a work in progress,' she said. 'We still face challenges -economic fragility, governance bottlenecks and the aspirations of a youthful population seeking opportunity. But we have also come a long way.' The PBC has backed peacebuilding efforts in more than 30 countries and regions, for example supporting democratic transition in The Gambia and collaborating with Timor Leste to advance stability. Its 'intervention and decisiveness at a critical juncture is not only manifestly historic but serves as a cardinal reference point for preventive diplomacy and international solidarity,' said Gambia's Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara. Conflicts on the rise Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, remarked that the event was being held at a time when conflicts are becoming more numerous, more protracted and more complex, and as negotiated settlements are becoming even harder to achieve. ' Against this backdrop, the role of the Peacebuilding Commission remains critical and more needed than ever,' she said. She highlighted the Pact for the Future, adopted by UN Member States last September, which recognizes the central role of civil society, women and youth, and the value of UN partnerships with regional organizations and international financial institutions. 'Crucially, the Pact decided on the strengthening of the Peacebuilding Commission,' she said. 'Our task is to translate this ambition into practical progress.' Still relevant today Ms. DiCarlo said the PBC 'should be equipped, strengthened and empowered to assist interested Member States to develop and implement national strategies for prevention and peace building.' It should also have more systematic and robust links to other UN bodies and processes, such as the Security Council, and engage more deeply with regional organizations, international financial institutions and other key partners. 'The Commission is no longer a new institution, but its relevance and potential are undiminished at a time of increasing need. We must equip it to invest to deliver fully on its mandate.'
Scoop
an hour ago
- Scoop
From Syria, UN Refugee Chief Calls For Greater Solidarity With Displaced People
20 June 2025 The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, sounded the alarm on Friday, World Refugee Day, in a message from Syria. He said the abject failure to end conflicts – including in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gaza – continues to create immense suffering. Difficulty seeking shelter 'Yet the innocent people who run for their lives as the bullets fly and the missiles rain down are unjustly stigmatised, making it harder to escape danger and to find somewhere to recover and rebuild,' he said. Their situation is further compounded by brutal cuts to humanitarian aid, affecting millions who desperately need assistance. ' At this critical juncture, it is vital that we reaffirm our solidarity with refugees – not just with words but with urgent action,' he said. He added that inspiring examples already exists, from countries that continue to welcome and host refugees, to local communities that 'open their homes, workplaces and hearts' to them, as well as 'the countless individual acts of kindness and compassion that reveal our common humanity.' Share the responsibility Mr. Grandi said the international community can and must support these countries and communities by sharing the responsibility for protecting refugees, calling in particular for action by wealthier States, development banks, businesses and others. The High Commissioner spent the Day in Syria, where some 600,000 people have returned from neighbouring countries after 14 years of war. Overall, more than two million Syrians have gone back to their homes and communities since the fall of the Assad regime last December. 'In a region that has suffered so much violence – and suffers even now – we are nonetheless presented with an opportunity to help Syrians achieve stability and prosperity. We must not let it pass by,' he said. Mr. Grandi met Syrian families who spent more than a decade as refugees, whose deep joy at being among familiar faces and surroundings serve as reminder of refugees' yearning for home. 'Now more than ever, we must stand with refugees to keep alive their hopes of a better future,' he said.
Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- Otago Daily Times
Destiny Church march 'not Kiwi, nor Christian'
The Minister for Ethnic Communities says he was "appalled" by a Destiny Church march on Saturday which was neither "Kiwi, nor Christian". Church followers marched down Auckland's Queen Street on Saturday against "foreign religions", with leader Brian Tamaki saying the church was building a "Commonwealth crusade" to "reclaim Christian nations". A number of flags were also set on fire but were put out before firefighters arrived. In a post to Facebook, Minister Mark Mitchell said everyone had a right to freedom of speech and protest. "That does mean, however, that New Zealanders are free to condemn behaviour that is not in keeping with our values as a country and as a wider community. "I am proud to be the Minister of Ethnic Communities in a multicultural and diverse New Zealand, which has had a proud history of welcoming people from all walks of life." Destiny Church said the march was to take "a bold public stand for Christian values, Kiwi identity and the future of this nation". Mitchell said behaviour that incited discrimination or violence was "damaging" and condemned the "vile rhetoric and behaviour" of the Church and its associates. "The behaviour I saw was not Kiwi, nor Christian. "The use of taiaha, which is a culturally sacred weapon, to overtly stab at flags representing minority groups in our country, while being torn to pieces and burnt is not acceptable." Mitchell said the government had a strong focus in public safety. "Anything that threatens or disturbs the public's right to go about their lives free from threat of violence is something I take very seriously. "New Zealand welcomes all people, of all backgrounds and ethnicities, who are willing to behave in a way that is tolerant and reflective of our values. The actions I saw from Destiny Church this weekend in my view are not welcome in New Zealand." On Saturday, Acting Prime Minister David Seymour denounced the marching, saying it was "un-Kiwi". "What it means to be Kiwi is people come from all over the world, and so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they're welcome," Seymour said. "Brian Tamaki's various attitudes have all sorts of problems, but at their heart they're un-Kiwi attitudes because they're intolerant and uninclusive. "What I take issue with is his attacks on other New Zealander's right to practice their faith just as he has a right to practice his." 'Despicable event' - faith and ethnic communities It comes as faith and ethnic communities urge the government get moving on hate speech legislation in response to a Destiny Church march on the weekend. The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, the Combined Sikh Association of NZ, and the New Zealand Buddhist Council say the event was "despicable" and New Zealand needs a strategy for social cohesion. In a letter to the government, all MPs and public sector agencies, the groups said there were "elements" in New Zealand who exploit the lack of effective hate speech legislation to gain notoriety for through "racist stunts". "With the rapid rise of hate incidents reported to the NZ Police, we now have similar conditions which gave rise to the terror attacks of 15 March. In an increasing diverse multi-faith and multi-ethnic Aotearoa New Zealand, there needs to be in place a sustained strategy for social cohesion." "This was clearly outlined and specified in detail in the Royal Commission, which have now been mostly abandoned." In the letter the groups requested: • A consensus approach by all political parties on ensuring social cohesion is a national priority. • Expediting the work of the Law Commission on hate crime and include recommendations on the way forward for effective hate speech legislation. • Funding and curriculum resources for schools so tamariki can be exposed to multiculturalism and respect for all communities. • Completion of the recommendations of the Royal Commission. • Funding community-led social cohesion education programmes which emphasise community connections and living with diversity.
