The National Institution for Human Rights in Libya (NIHRL) has voiced alarm over the abduction of former Abu Salim mayor Abdulrahman Al-Hamdi, who was reportedly kidnapped under mysterious circumstances in central Tripoli.
In a statement, the NIHRL described the incident as a flagrant human rights violation and an unlawful act of arbitrary detention. It stressed that no authority has claimed responsibility for Al-Hamdi’s arrest, while the Internal Security Agency publicly denied involvement.
The institution warned that the case constitutes an act of enforced disappearance under Law No. 10 of 2013 and represents a serious abuse of power, in clear breach of Libya’s Code of Criminal Procedure. It further cautioned that the continued use of such practices could rise to the level of crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
“These practices not only violate fundamental freedoms but also undermine the rule of law and weaken trust in state institutions,” the NIHRL said.
The statement urged the Attorney General’s Office, the Presidential Council, and the Government of National Unity to act swiftly to determine Al-Hamdi’s whereabouts and ensure he is presented before judicial authorities to verify the legality of his detention. It also demanded that Libya’s security bodies adhere strictly to national legislation and international conventions that protect individuals from arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance.
Al-Hamdi’s disappearance comes amid mounting reports of unlawful detentions and kidnappings across Tripoli and other cities, often linked to the influence of armed groups and the weakness of state institutions. Human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized Libya’s authorities for failing to curb these practices or hold perpetrators accountable.
