The Libyan Ministry of Justice, under the Government of National Unity, has announced that five countries have expressed willingness to negotiate and sign agreements allowing Libyan prisoners abroad to serve their remaining sentences in Libya.
On Monday, the Permanent Committee for Monitoring the Conditions of Libyan Prisoners Abroad, chaired by Minister of Justice Halima Abdulrahman, held its first meeting of the year. The session was attended by the Deputy Minister of Justice, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and all committee members.
According to a statement posted on the ministry’s official Facebook page, the meeting focused on reviewing the agenda and discussing proposed prisoner exchange agreements with several nations, including China and Ethiopia.
The committee also reviewed ongoing negotiations following a recent visit by Deputy Minister of Justice Ali Ishtawi to Lebanon, Egypt, Malta, Tunisia, and Turkey. The ministry confirmed that these countries are open to reaching agreements that would allow Libyan inmates to complete their sentences in their home country, in line with human rights commitments and national sovereignty principles.
Additionally, the Ministry of Justice has compiled a comprehensive database of Libyan prisoners in countries where legal attachés from the ministry are stationed.
Efforts are ongoing to expand negotiations with other nations, with direct oversight from the Minister of Justice and under the supervision of Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah.
These prisoner transfer agreements are part of Libya’s broader efforts to safeguard the rights of its citizens abroad, improve legal cooperation, and reinforce diplomatic ties with other nations.