On Saturday, the National Commission of Human Rights in Libya (NCHRL) voiced its alarm and condemnation concerning the recent outbreak of violence in the city of Gharyan, 80 km south of Tripoli. It underscored the serious humanitarian and security deterioration in the area.
The NCHR has condemned the spate of indiscriminate detentions carried out on the basis of social identity and political affiliation, noting with concern, retaliatory actions including the torching and pillaging of civilians’ homes by security forces.
In a forceful statement, the Commission classified these acts as “severe human rights violations that amount to war crimes within the theater of armed conflict. These transgressions are punishable under both Libyan penal, and military law.”
Pointedly, the NCHRL attributed full legal responsibility for these abuses to the Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba.
The Commission has issued a demand for the Military Prosecutor to launch a comprehensive investigation into the reported violations. As well as ensuring that the findings are made public, and that those accountable are brought to justice, thereby safeguarding the rights and securing justice for the victims.
Additionally, the NCHRL stressed the need to rid Gharyan of all armed groups to ensure the security, safety, and well-being of its civilian populace, and to provide compensation for victims.
Notably, violent clashes broke out last week in Gharyan between rival armed groups. The fighting prompted the closure of the city’s entrances, a security source and a medical source told the AFP.
An official from the Gharyan Security Directorate also told the AFP that the clashes erupted during the early morning hours.
A medical source at Gharyan General Hospital confirmed the death toll of four, and reported over ten injuries. As a result of these clashes, the entrances and exits of Gharyan were closed.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December 2021, and the refusal of Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down.
On Saturday, the National Commission of Human Rights in Libya (NCHRL) voiced its alarm and condemnation concerning the recent outbreak of violence in the city of Gharyan, 80 km south of Tripoli. It underscored the serious humanitarian and security deterioration in the area.
The NCHR has condemned the spate of indiscriminate detentions carried out on the basis of social identity and political affiliation, noting with concern, retaliatory actions including the torching and pillaging of civilians’ homes by security forces.
In a forceful statement, the Commission classified these acts as “severe human rights violations that amount to war crimes within the theater of armed conflict. These transgressions are punishable under both Libyan penal, and military law.”
Pointedly, the NCHRL attributed full legal responsibility for these abuses to the Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba.
The Commission has issued a demand for the Military Prosecutor to launch a comprehensive investigation into the reported violations. As well as ensuring that the findings are made public, and that those accountable are brought to justice, thereby safeguarding the rights and securing justice for the victims.
Additionally, the NCHRL stressed the need to rid Gharyan of all armed groups to ensure the security, safety, and well-being of its civilian populace, and to provide compensation for victims.
Notably, violent clashes broke out last week in Gharyan between rival armed groups. The fighting prompted the closure of the city’s entrances, a security source and a medical source told the AFP.
An official from the Gharyan Security Directorate also told the AFP that the clashes erupted during the early morning hours.
A medical source at Gharyan General Hospital confirmed the death toll of four, and reported over ten injuries. As a result of these clashes, the entrances and exits of Gharyan were closed.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December 2021, and the refusal of Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down.