The situation in Libya - Security Council, 9916th meeting

As Criminal Court prosecutor accelerates work, Libya must be prepared to carry out credible, effective proceedings at national level, delegate tells Security Council.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 01:53:04
• Production Date: 15 May 2025
• Asset Language: Arabic; English; French; Russian; Spanish; Chinese; Original
• Personal Subject: KARIM A. A. KHAN
• Corporate Name: INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT - ICC
• Subject Topical: INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURTS; JUSTICE; CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY; WAR CRIMES; TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL TREATMENT; FACT-FINDING MISSIONS; COOPERATION; PRISONS
• Geographic Subject: LIBYA
• MAMS Id: 3396561
• Parent Id: 3396035

Description

In a briefing to the Security Council today, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) underscored the Libyan Government’s stated commitment to cooperate with the Court and pursue justice for its people, while urging the handover of a suspect alleged to have committed grave crimes against detainees — including migrants and refugees. 

“We’ve also had some significant, I believe, truly positive developments with the engagement of the Government of Libya,” said Prosecutor Karim Khan, speaking via videoconference, noting that the Registrar of the International Criminal Court confirmed receipt of a declaration by Libya pursuant to Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute — a provision that allows a State that is not a party to the Statute to accept the jurisdiction of the Court for a particular situation. 

Mr. Khan welcomed Libya’s declaration by which the country accepted the exercise of the Court’s jurisdiction from 2011 until the end of 2027. “This declaration received today represents a profound step to a renewed platform for collective action between the ICC and Libya in pursuit of justice,” he said. 

The Court — established by the Statute, which was adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2002 — investigates and prosecutes individuals for the most serious offenses against the international community — namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. 

The Court has been investigating crimes committed in Libya, both during the 2011 crackdown on civilian protesters by the Government of Muammar Qadhafi, and in the period following the leader’s fall. The country has remained unstable, with armed groups, militias and rival governments competing for power. 

• Briefer: Mr. Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (via video-teleconference)
• Statements: All Council members
• Statements: Libya, Italy

Related Sites and Documents

UN Meetings Coverage

S/PV.9916