On Sunday, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Human Rights and Rule of Law Department conducted a workshop to bolster protection for Libyan human rights defenders.
In a statement, UNSMIL announced that the participants in the workshop “underlined the essential role of a flourishing civil society as a powerful agent for beneficial transformation.”
During the workshop, the attendees stressed that “the invaluable work of civil society organizations and human rights defenders should be supported and encouraged, not impeded.”
They emphasized the “critical need for empowering and inclusive environments, both online and in the real world, to ensure the safety and proactive engagement of women and human rights defenders in Libya.”
The statement further underscored the commitment of UNSMIL’s Department to support women and human rights defenders in Libya. They aim to assist these defenders in crafting a comprehensive and effective protection strategy.
Libya, a North African country, has been embroiled in a complex conflict since the 2011 revolution that led to the overthrow of the long-serving leader, Muammar Gaddafi. The tumultuous period that followed has seen the country divided between different factions, leading to a serious escalation of human rights violations, including unlawful killings, forced disappearances, and unlawful detention.
UNSMIL was established on 16 September 2011 by UN Security Council Resolution 2009, at the request of the Libyan authorities following six months of armed conflict. The mission was initially intended to support the country’s new transitional authorities in their post-conflict efforts.
Over time, the focus of UNSMIL has shifted due to the volatile political and security situation, with an increasing emphasis on human rights monitoring and reporting. As well as providing technical advice and assistance to Libyan institutions. To support these efforts, the Department of Human Rights and Rule of Law is crucial in providing on-the-ground support to human rights defenders in Libya.
The workshop is a part of these continuous efforts to support, protect, and strengthen the role of human rights defenders in the unstable and complex Libyan context. Through the provision of a safe and inclusive environment and the development of a robust protection strategy, UNSMIL aims to ensure that human rights defenders can continue their critical work of promoting and protecting human rights in Libya.