On Saturday, two leading international legal organizations called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to establish a permanent and independent mechanism to monitor human rights violations in Libya.
The call comes from Lawyers for Justice in Libya and the International Commission of Jurists, who say the country is at risk of deeper impunity and instability unless urgent international oversight is put in place.
In a joint briefing paper, the organizations urged UN member states to follow up on the work of the UN’s Fact-Finding Mission on Libya, which was launched in 2020 and has now concluded.
The mission investigated serious and widespread human rights abuses committed in Libya since 2016. But rights advocates say its closure leaves a dangerous accountability gap.
“There is a clear lack of political will in Libya to investigate or prosecute systematic violations,” said Saeed Benarbia, Director of the MENA Program at the International Commission of Jurists.
“The absence of urgent action is enabling further abuses and deepening the human rights crisis.”
The joint paper warns that without an independent international mechanism to document abuses, report findings, and push for accountability, the victims of violations will continue to be denied justice, and those responsible will remain shielded from the law.
Serena Zanierato, Program Officer at Lawyers for Justice in Libya, stressed that a new mechanism is essential to end impunity and support victims. “Accountability is not optional—it is a necessary step toward protecting human rights and restoring rule of law in Libya,” she said.
The two organizations are calling for a new UN-backed body to take on this role, with a clear mandate to monitor, investigate, and report on violations.
Their appeal comes amid growing concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Libya, which remains mired in political fragmentation, institutional weakness, and armed group influence.
