Two years after FFM, Libya’s human rights crisis deepens: LFJL and ICJ demand the Human Rights Council for urgent action

In a joint paper published today, 28 March 2025, Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) urge the UN Member States of the Human Rights Council (HRC) to establish a follow-up mechanism to the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya (FFM), which the HRC had established in June 2020 to investigate human rights violations and abuses committed by all parties since the beginning of 2016.

“The Libyan authorities lack the political will to ensure accountability for past and ongoing widespread and systematic human rights violations and abuses in the country. Without urgent action, impunity will persist, further entrenching the already deteriorating human rights situation, and depriving victims of access to justice and effective remedies. Establishing a follow-up mechanism is essential to filling the accountability gap in the country,” said Saïd Benarbia, ICJ Middle East and North Africa Programme Director.  

Against a backdrop of ongoing and pervasive human rights violations and abuses in the country and the almost complete lack of progress with domestic accountability efforts, in their joint paper, LFJL and the ICJ outline possible ways forward. They urge Member States of the HRC to establish:

1. an accountability mechanism;  

2. an independent human rights monitoring and public reporting mandate.

And to ensure:

3. strengthened technical assistance and capacity-building to the Libyan authorities.

Two years after the FFM issued its final report, which called on the HRC to set up an independent international investigation mechanism; and urging the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to establish a distinct and autonomous mechanism with a mandate to monitor and report on gross human rights violations.  

Notwithstanding the FFM’s clear recommendations, in resolution 52/41 adopted in April 2023, the HRC merely requested the OHCHR to provide technical assistance and capacity building to the Libyan authorities. The HRC reiterated such request in July 2024.  

Two years on, Libya’s human rights situation continues to deteriorate: women, human rights defenders, activists, journalists, migrants, refugees and civil society as a whole face a systematic crackdown. Human rights violations and abuses are pervasive and affect every layer of Libya’s society.  

Accountability for crimes under international law has been completely elusive and has yet to materialise. The Tarhuna case – with the exhumation of at least 353 bodies from mass graves between 2020 and now – discloses evidence of widespread crimes under international law and exemplifies the accountability gap.  

While the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for individuals suspected of these crimes, the Libyan authorities have continuously failed to cooperate with the Court, let alone hand these individuals over to the ICC.  

The security situation in the country remains volatile. The OHCHR has faced significant challenges in implementing the HRC resolution, including restricted access to key locations, security concerns for UN staff, and a lack of meaningful engagement from Libyan authorities. A more robust international mandate is needed to break this cycle of inaction.

‍“We urge Member States of the Human Rights Council to establish a new investigative accountability mechanism for Libya. Perpetrators of gross human rights violations and serious crimes under international law committed in the country must be brought to justice – in Libya, or elsewhere. Impunity cannot go on forever. The Human Rights Council must act now”, commented Serena Zanirato, Programmes Officer at Lawyers for Justice in Libya.

LFJL and the ICJ demand urgent action from Member States of the Human Rights Council to:

• Establish both   
  • an accountability mandate; and
  • an independent human rights monitoring and public reporting mandate;

• Request the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)'s Human Rights Service and OHCHR’s representation in Libya to provide strengthened technical assistance and capacity-building to the Libyan authorities.

Download

The full position paper can be downloaded in English and Arabic.

Contact

Saïd Benarbia, Director, ICJ Middle East and North Africa Programme; t: +41 22 979 3800, e: said.benarbia@icj.org

Nour Al Hajj, Communications & Advocacy Officer, ICJ Middle East and North Africa Programme; e: nour.alhajj@icj.org

Jurgen Schurr, LFJL Director of Programmes, e: juergen@libyanjustice.org  

Alexandra Azua, LFJL Communications and Public Outreach Manager, e: alexandra@libyanjustice.org  

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