Armed groups in Libya continue to operate with significant influence and minimal accountability, undermining the judicial system and contributing to widespread human rights violations, according to a report by the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies.
The report describes a justice system that is increasingly shaped by the power dynamics of armed actors rather than legal institutions. Courts and prosecutors, it states, are often unable to function independently due to pressure from militias that control territory and wield substantial coercive power. As a result, judicial authority is weakened, and the rule of law remains fragile.
According to the findings, armed groups across both eastern and western Libya are involved in a range of serious abuses, including killings, torture, abductions, arbitrary detentions, and the mistreatment of migrants and detainees. These violations are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern that reflects systemic failures in accountability.
The report highlights that many individuals are detained without due legal process and are often held in facilities run by militias or security bodies. Interrogations frequently take place outside official judicial oversight, and detainees are sometimes referred to courts only when it aligns with political considerations. This selective application of justice raises concerns about fairness and legal integrity.
Judicial officials themselves face significant risks. Judges and prosecutors are reportedly subjected to threats, kidnappings, and physical attacks, which has led to growing reluctance to handle sensitive or politically charged cases. This climate of fear further erodes judicial independence and limits the effectiveness of legal institutions.
The report also points to a recurring pattern in which influential militia leaders and politically connected individuals evade arrest warrants and ignore court rulings. At the same time, other detainees remain in custody despite judicial orders for their release, highlighting inconsistencies in enforcement.
A great concern raised in the report is the overlap between armed groups and state institutions. Some militias have been formally or informally integrated into government structures, including ministries responsible for defense, interior, and justice. This overlap complicates efforts to distinguish between legitimate authority and militia influence, weakening institutional credibility.
The report further criticises international migration policies, particularly European cooperation with Libyan actors, arguing that such arrangements have inadvertently strengthened armed groups involved in detention and border control without ensuring proper judicial oversight.
