The National Commission for Human Rights in Libya (NCHRL) confirmed its support for the renewal of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Libya’s mandate. It is scheduled to be discussed at the 50th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, in June 2022.
In a statement, the NCHRL reiterated that the formation of the mission was “a necessary and long overdue step to address the prevailing phenomenon of impunity in Libya.”
The commission expressed its concern about the challenges of the United Nations budget, and the difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As these undermined the ability of the mission to fulfil its mandate.
It noted that the renewal of the mandate is critical to addressing the current human rights crisis in Libya. It added that this will be implemented by enhancing accountability, and providing an opportunity for victims to report their suffering.
The NCHRL called on the Libyan authorities to fully cooperate with the mission on violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. As well as overcome all difficulties in the work of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Earlier, UNSMIL warned all parties against committing grave violations of human rights and international human rights law, urging them to refrain from violence.
In a statement, it said that it had followed up the unfortunate resurfacing of violence in Tripoli. It added that violence had erupted to achieve political goals, in violation of human rights.
The mission noted that such events “oblige the mission to document what is happening, which entails international criminal accountability in order to protect civilians in Tripoli or in any part of Libya.”
It also confirmed that it is working under the UN mandate to investigate any violations that have occurred in Libya from 2016 onwards.