OHCHR Press Briefing Notes on Libya 14 November 2014

17 Nov 2014

OHCHR Press Briefing Notes on Libya 14 November 2014

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Rupert Colville
Location: Geneva
Date: 14 November 2014
Libya
We are alarmed by the escalating violence in Libya with reports of increased human rights abuses, beheadings of activists and the recent closure of the country's national human rights institution in Tripoli. The dramatic increase in use of car bombs in the last few days, with civilians the main victims, illustrates the rapidly deteriorating security and human rights situation in the country. Over the last week alone, there were two explosions in Shahhat, three each in Tobruk, al-Baida and Benghazi, and two in Tripoli, causing several deaths and injuries.
We are very concerned about the continuing threats, intimidation and other repressive measures being taken against Libya's national human rights institution, the National Council of Civil Liberties and Human Rights.
In mid-October, a group of armed men visited the Council, and demanded the hand-over of keys to the premises and the organization's official stamps. In a separate incident, armed men also sought to question a number of senior Council members, including the current General Secretary.
On 21 October, when UN human rights officers visited the building during a visit to Tripoli, they found it deserted.
Then last Sunday, 9 November, armed men in military uniform arrived at the Council, led by a man known for his support for Operation Libya Dawn. According to an eyewitness, the group locked the building and told passers-by that the Council was being shut down by Libya Dawn, and anybody attempting to re-open the Council would be arrested.
We urge those in control of Tripoli to ensure that the office premises of the Council are immediately re-opened and that this key institution is allowed to resume its work without any form of intimidation or obstruction. The UN Human Rights Office stresses the importance of allowing the Council to function smoothly and independently at a time when Libyans are facing serious human rights violations, and the need for independent monitoring in the country is critical.