A prominent human rights organization has raised concerns about the impact of European migration policies on Libya, warning that such cooperation has contributed to the growing influence and abuses of armed groups, particularly in the management of migrants and detention facilities.
In a recent report, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies argued that international support for migration control has, in some cases, strengthened actors operating outside effective judicial oversight.
According to the report, cooperation frameworks focused on border control and migration management have enabled armed groups and security actors to play a central role in arrests, detention, and surveillance activities without adequate legal accountability. This, the organization says, has created an environment where violations can occur with limited oversight.
The report also highlighted serious risks facing Libya’s judicial system. Judges and prosecutors are said to face threats, abductions, physical assaults, and even targeted killings. These pressures have affected judicial independence, with many officials reportedly reluctant to take on sensitive cases or issue decisions that could challenge powerful actors.
In addition, the report pointed to the growing role of armed groups in influencing judicial processes. Individuals, including migrants, are often detained without due process and held in facilities run by militias or security bodies. In some cases, legal procedures are only followed when politically convenient, raising concerns about selective justice.
The report cited the case of Osama Najim as an example of inconsistencies in accountability. Despite being wanted by the International Criminal Court, he was released in Italy and returned to Libya instead of being transferred to The Hague, a move that raised questions about the effectiveness of international justice mechanisms.
It also noted increasing international pressure on Libya, including renewed action by the ICC related to alleged crimes in detention centers. The arrest of Khaled Mohamed Ali Al-Hishri in Germany in 2025 was highlighted as part of broader efforts to pursue accountability.
The organization concluded that Libya’s justice system remains constrained by the influence of armed groups and international policies that prioritize security objectives over the rule of law, warning that without stronger accountability measures, these challenges are likely to persist.
