UNSMIL is deeply concerned by the recent surge in arbitrary arrests and detentions carried out by law enforcement and security forces throughout Libya. These actions, aimed at individuals based on their perceived political affiliations, are a blatant violation of human rights, working to stifle dissent and undermine the independence of the judiciary. Such unlawful practices not only instill fear in the population but also corrode the foundations of the rule of law.
The targeting of legal professionals and members of the judiciary is particularly alarming. Instances such as the violent arrest of Judge Ali Al Shareef in Tripoli, the prolonged detention of lawyer Mounir Al-Orfi in Benghazi, and the captivity of Military Prosecutors, Mansour Da’aoub and Mohammed al-Mabrouk al-Kar in Tripoli, highlight the growing threats faced by legal practitioners and underscore the erosion of their autonomy.
In a stark example, House of Representatives member Ali Hassan Jaballah endured arbitrary detention for over a year before being unfairly sentenced by a military tribunal in a trial fraught with irregularities. Similarly, Libyan Asset Recovery Management Office (LARMO) head Mohamed Mensli has been held without proper legal representation or medical attention, despite reports of his deteriorating health. Notable figure Khalifa Amghar Abdulrasul from Ghat remains detained in Benghazi without formal charges or access to legal counsel or family contact. These cases are just a few among many individuals unlawfully detained across Libya.
UNSMIL is also troubled by the trend of coerced video confessions, where detainees are forced to admit to crimes on camera. These videos are then used to intimidate and shame individuals, further violating their rights. Such fabricated evidence must be deemed inadmissible, and those responsible for these manipulative tactics must be held to account.
The recent partial access granted to detention facilities across the country is a positive step towards addressing systemic violations within these institutions. UNSMIL calls for unrestricted access to all detention centers in Libya to facilitate comprehensive investigations and reforms.
Arbitrary detention is a dangerous tool that only serves to silence dissent, instill fear, and weaken the fabric of Libyan society. It undermines the country’s transition towards democracy and erodes trust in law enforcement and security forces, whose primary duty should be to uphold and safeguard the rights of all individuals in Libya.
The Mission reiterates its plea for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained persons and urges for accountability for those responsible for these egregious violations.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
