UN Highlights Concerns Over Arbitrary Arrests in Libya
The UN Support Mission in Libya calls for the immediate release of individuals allegedly detained for political reasons.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has raised serious concerns regarding a surge in arbitrary arrests within the country, calling for the immediate release of detained individuals, including members of the judiciary and legal professionals.
In a statement issued by UNSMIL, the organization expressed alarm over actions taken by law enforcement and security actors who are reportedly targeting individuals based on their alleged political affiliations, a practice that is seen as an attempt to silence dissent and undermine the independence of the judiciary.
Libya, which has been in turmoil since the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, remains politically divided.
The country is currently split between a UN-recognized government situated in Tripoli and a rival authority located in the eastern regions.
This fragmentation has contributed to challenges in governance and rule of law across the country.
The UN mission also highlighted the troubling practice of obtaining coerced confessions from detainees, often recorded on video and disseminated online.
According to UNSMIL, these practices serve as instruments of intimidation and humiliation and should be considered inadmissible in any judicial process.
Specific cases mentioned include the arrest of Judge Ali Al-Sharif, who was reported to have faced violence during his apprehension in Tripoli on March 10. Additionally, lawyer Mounir Al-Orfi has been in custody in Benghazi since March 12. UNSMIL noted the ongoing detention of military prosecutors Mansour Daoub and Mohammed Al-Mabrouk Al-Kar, who have been held in Tripoli since 2022.
The recent wave of arrests has raised significant concerns regarding its impact on Libya’s democratic transition and the deterioration of public trust in law enforcement and security authorities.
UNSMIL emphasized that these entities must prioritize the protection and promotion of human rights rather than actions that compromise these fundamental principles.
In a statement issued by UNSMIL, the organization expressed alarm over actions taken by law enforcement and security actors who are reportedly targeting individuals based on their alleged political affiliations, a practice that is seen as an attempt to silence dissent and undermine the independence of the judiciary.
Libya, which has been in turmoil since the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, remains politically divided.
The country is currently split between a UN-recognized government situated in Tripoli and a rival authority located in the eastern regions.
This fragmentation has contributed to challenges in governance and rule of law across the country.
The UN mission also highlighted the troubling practice of obtaining coerced confessions from detainees, often recorded on video and disseminated online.
According to UNSMIL, these practices serve as instruments of intimidation and humiliation and should be considered inadmissible in any judicial process.
Specific cases mentioned include the arrest of Judge Ali Al-Sharif, who was reported to have faced violence during his apprehension in Tripoli on March 10. Additionally, lawyer Mounir Al-Orfi has been in custody in Benghazi since March 12. UNSMIL noted the ongoing detention of military prosecutors Mansour Daoub and Mohammed Al-Mabrouk Al-Kar, who have been held in Tripoli since 2022.
The recent wave of arrests has raised significant concerns regarding its impact on Libya’s democratic transition and the deterioration of public trust in law enforcement and security authorities.
UNSMIL emphasized that these entities must prioritize the protection and promotion of human rights rather than actions that compromise these fundamental principles.
