In their report presented at a press conference on the occasion of the 48th session of the HRC, the members of the mission indicated that due to “budgetary constraints, the mission has only been working for three months. And in this short period, it has been able to collect hundreds of documents, interview 150 people and carry out investigations in Libya, Tunisia and Italy.”
She clarified, in this sense, that the evidence and arguments obtained by the mission, also composed of Chaloka Beyani and Tracy Robinson, “confirm a disastrous and serious human rights situation in Libya.”
“The violence and crisis in Libya since the fall of the Gaddafi regime in 2011, and particularly since 2016, has led to serious human rights violations against all vulnerable categories, including civilians, women, children, displaced persons and migrants,” according to the Mission’s experts.
“There are reasons to believe that war crimes have been committed in Libya, while the violence perpetrated in prisons and against migrants in the country may amount to crimes against humanity,” the UN mission noted.
The report further states that the investigations carried out by the Mission “have shown that all parties to this conflict, including third countries, foreign fighters and mercenaries have violated international humanitarian law”, adding that “some have committed war crimes”.
“Civilians paid a heavy price during the aggressions against Tripoli in 2019, as during the various armed confrontations,” Mr. Aujjar stressed in this regard, noting that “the airstrikes killed dozens of families. Similarly, the destruction of hospitals compromised access to health, while anti-personnel mines left by mercenaries in residential areas killed and injured civilians.”
“As Libyans undertake intense efforts to secure peace, the issue of accountability for serious human rights violations and international crimes has become more necessary than ever to prevent further violations and consolidate peace and reconciliation in the long term,” he continued, urging Libya to “intensify its efforts to prosecute those responsible for these crimes.” He also called on the international community to continue providing support to the Libyan judicial authorities.
2024-09-03 19:32:28