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UN PhotoOHCHR / LIBYA HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
STORY: OHCHR / LIBYA HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
TRT: 02:45
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 04 JUNE 2025 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Various shots, Palais Wilson headquarters of OHCHR
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“We are shocked by revelations of gross human rights violations uncovered at official and unofficial detention facilities run by the Stabilization Support Apparatus force in the Libyan capital Tripoli. Dozens of bodies have been found, along with the discovery of suspected instruments of torture and abuse, and potential evidence of extrajudicial killings. This confirms the longstanding findings by the UN, as well as from various witness accounts, regarding the existence of such sites and the extent of violations committed in connection with them. The sites must be sealed and all potential evidence preserved in support of immediate accountability efforts. We call on the Libyan authorities to conduct independent, impartial and transparent investigations into these discoveries. Those responsible for these atrocious acts must be brought to justice without delay, in accordance with international standards. We urge the authorities to grant Libya’s forensic authorities, as well as the United Nations, full and unimpeded access to all sites. Our Office has also been closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Tripoli following the killing last month of the SSA’s leader, and subsequent clashes between State security actors and armed groups. This, in turn, set off deadly protests. We have received reports that the protests were met with unnecessary force, raising serious concerns with respect to the guarantee of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and assembly, as well as the need to protect civic space. The UN Human Rights Office calls on all responsible political and security actors in Libya to use their leadership and authority to protect and fulfil the human rights of everyone in the country. Furthermore, we urge these actors and those with influence over them to redouble their efforts to end the recurring cycle of transitional arrangements and establish a full and inclusive democracy.”
3. Wide shot, Palais Wilson headquarters of OHCHR
Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said, “We are shocked by revelations of gross human rights violations uncovered at official and unofficial detention facilities run by the Stabilization Support Apparatus force in the Libyan capital Tripoli. Dozens of bodies have been found, along with the discovery of suspected instruments of torture and abuse, and potential evidence of extrajudicial killings.”
He also said, “This confirms the longstanding findings by the UN, as well as from various witness accounts, regarding the existence of such sites and the extent of violations committed in connection with them. The sites must be sealed and all potential evidence preserved in support of immediate accountability efforts. We call on the Libyan authorities to conduct independent, impartial and transparent investigations into these discoveries. Those responsible for these atrocious acts must be brought to justice without delay, in accordance with international standards. We urge the authorities to grant Libya’s forensic authorities, as well as the United Nations, full and unimpeded access to all sites. Our Office has also been closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Tripoli following the killing last month of the SSA’s leader, and subsequent clashes between State security actors and armed groups. This, in turn, set off deadly protests."
He added, "We have received reports that the protests were met with unnecessary force, raising serious concerns with respect to the guarantee of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and assembly, as well as the need to protect civic space. The UN Human Rights Office calls on all responsible political and security actors in Libya to use their leadership and authority to protect and fulfil the human rights of everyone in the country. Furthermore, we urge these actors and those with influence over them to redouble their efforts to end the recurring cycle of transitional arrangements and establish a full and inclusive democracy.”
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