The United Nations Security Council is set to hear a new briefing from International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan this November. The update will outline developments regarding justice and accountability efforts for crimes committed in Libya.
According to Security Council Report news website, Khan’s briefing is expected to focus on the ICC’s measures to ensure accountability for grave crimes in Libya, a priority for the Security Council. The session will also address the political momentum needed to conduct national elections and establish a unified government, both key objectives for stabilising the country.
Council members aim to foster a shared political foundation among Libya’s rival authorities to reach an agreement on electoral laws. The Security Council remains united in its call for a Libyan-led political process that leads to inclusive elections, restoring political, security, and economic stability.
However, divisions persist among council members regarding ICC activities in Libya. Nations like the United States, Russia, China, Algeria, and Mozambique are not signatories to the Rome Statute, reflecting differing views on the ICC’s role in Libya. Nevertheless, the United States supports the ICC’s work on Libya despite not being a party to the statute.
The ICC has been investigating alleged crimes against humanity in Libya since March 2011. These include killings, torture, persecution, and war crimes. Its investigations prioritise four areas: crimes during the 2011 civil war, military operations from 2014 to 2020, abuses in detention facilities, and crimes against migrants.
In his previous Security Council briefing in May, Khan presented a roadmap for completing ICC investigations in Libya. This included pursuing arrest warrants, strengthening evidence preservation, and tracking fugitives, aiming to advance the court’s judicial phase by the end of 2025.
