TRIPOLI - The Co-Chairs of the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Working Group of the International Follow-up Committee on Libya of the Berlin Process - the Netherlands, Switzerland, and UNSMIL - are alarmed by the numerous deaths in custody across Libya.

More than a year after the death of political activist Seraj Daghman, on 19 April 2024, who was held in custody by the Internal Security Agency (ISA) in Benghazi, impunity prevails and new cases of deaths in custody continue to be documented. Earlier this month, Abdel Mun’im Al-Maryami, also a political activist, who had been detained by the ISA in Tripoli, died under suspicious circumstances while in custody on 4 July 2025 shortly after his release had reportedly been ordered.

These cases point to structural torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including poor conditions of detention, denial of medical care and the lack of protection of individuals deprived of their liberty. “The frequency and consistency of these serious human rights and international humanitarian law violations point to a widespread and systematic pattern of abuse and neglect in detention facilities across Libya that may constitute crimes against humanity or war crimes, punishable under international law”, stressed the co-chairs.

Between March 2024 and July 2025, UNSMIL documented 19 deaths in detention facilities in the east, west and south of Libya. All deaths occurred under the custody of security actors.  Victims included actual or perceived political opponents, voices critical of authorities as well as members of civil society. These figures represent only the cases documented by UNSMIL, the actual number of deaths in custody across Libya may be significantly higher.

Of the documented cases, at least six deaths are suspected of having resulted from torture, while others were caused by untreated illnesses. In many cases, forensic reports were withheld, while families reported that the victims’ bodies bore signs of abuse. Families have received little or no official explanation on the circumstances of the death of their relatives indicating potential efforts to obstruct accountability.

“It is deeply troubling that, to date, not a single death in custody in Libya has resulted in accountability. We urge the authorities to conduct independent investigations into all such cases and to ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable”, said the co-chairs.

Efforts to ensure accountability and protection of detainees’ rights must go hand in hand with a comprehensive security sector reform, in line with Libya’s international human rights and humanitarian law obligations, including the UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT). The co-chairs reaffirm their readiness to support the Libyan authorities in these efforts.