Roundup: New UN report documents widespread human rights violations in Libya

A United Nations report published Thursday documented widespread human rights violations and abuses committed in Libya since the beginning of 2014, recommending urgent measures to address "the complete impunity that prevails" and to strengthen and reform the justice sector.

Multiple parties, both State and non-State, are accused of serious violations and abuse that may, in many cases, amount to war crimes, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here, quoting the UN high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein. "These include unlawful killings, indiscriminate attacks, torture and ill-treatment, arbitrary detention, abduction and disappearances and gender-based violence."

While recognizing the significant challenges facing the authorities in Libya, the report recommended urgent action to stop the proliferation of armed groups through disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and a vetting programme to remove and prevent the recruitment of individuals responsible for human rights violations or abuses, he said.

It also urged the international community to ensure that the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has jurisdiction over Libya, has the necessary resources to carry out its investigations and prosecutions, according to the spokesman.

Libya has been witnessing a frayed political process after former leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled during the 2011 political turmoil.

The political transition also stagnated with the constitution undone and the elected government on exile. The North African country, until recently, had been juggling two parliaments, General National Congress (GNC) based in Tripoli, which is supported by Islamist militants and the elected one House of Representatives (HOR) in the eastern town of Tobruk.

Forces loyal to the two major factions were warring with each other in cities like Tripoli, Benghazi and Gharyan, causing a humanitarian crisis, with at least 120,000 people forced to leave their homes, and resulting in consequent shortages in both food and medical supplies along with mounting numbers of casualties.

"Despite the human rights situation in Libya, the country only sporadically makes the headlines. A multitude of actors -- both State and non-State -- are accused of very serious violations and abuses that may, in many cases, amount to war crimes," Zeid said in a press release.

For instance, cases of forced recruitment and use of children in hostilities by groups pledging allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIL or Da'esh, are also documented by the new UN report.

The United Nations has been long engaged in effort to prevent children from being recruited by armed factions to fight in conflicts as child soldiers.

There has been a series of attacks by armed groups against women activists since 2014. The assassination of well-known activists and the threats, "harassment and assaults targeting many others appear designed to send a broader message that women should not be vocal in the public sphere," noted the report.

"One of the most striking elements of this report lies in the complete impunity which continues to prevail in Libya and the systemic failures of the justice system," the UN human rights chief said, underscoring the lack of means and capacity in the justice system to conduct prompt, independent and credible investigations or to prosecute those responsible for violations or abuses.

Since 2014, judges and prosecutors have been subject to killings, court bombings, assaults and abductions, he noted. As a result, courts in Derna, Sirte and Benghazi ceased activities in 2014, with limited re-activation of courts in parts of Benghazi in 2015, and victims have had little recourse to seek protection or to an effective remedy.

"This impunity is facilitating further abuses," he said.

"In the absence of proper protection, the judiciary cannot deliver justice," said the report, which noted that the system for providing security is "inadequate and flawed," as thousands of members of armed groups have been integrated into the Judicial Police with limited vetting.

The report recommended urgent action to stop the proliferation of armed groups through disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and a vetting programme to remove and prevent the recruitment of individuals responsible for human rights violations or abuses.

In addition to priority actions, it called for addressing the security threats to administration of justice, reforming the Judicial Police, creating a robust victim and witness protection program, establishing a specialized judicial structure within the Libyan courts to focus on crimes under international law, and organizing a high-level meeting to bring together Libyans actors and international partners to discuss initiatives for increasing accountability in the war-torn country. Endit