UK urges Libya to issue legislation for safety, reconciliation, and women’s protection

The UK’s Ambassador for Human Rights, Eleanor Sanders, speaking during the Interactive Dialogue on Technical Cooperation in Libya at the 60th session of the Human Rights Council, affirmed her country’s support for the joint efforts between the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to enhance the capacity of Libyan authorities.
In her intervention, Sanders highlighted concerns detailed in the High Commissioner’s report, which include persistent arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and torture, noting the limited accountability for those responsible for these violations. The UK stressed that the item on technical cooperation with Libya must remain on the Council’s agenda.
The United Kingdom addressed specific and direct calls to the Libyan authorities, encompassing:
Accountability and Legislative Reform: Issuing legislation to address issues of safety, reconciliation, and women’s protection.
Detention: The immediate closure of all unofficial detention centres.
Civil Space and Protection: Addressing threats directed at the civil space, including reprisals against civil society and restrictions on youth organisations, alongside protecting women and girls from violence and discrimination.
Migrants: Ensuring the safety of migrants and preventing their exploitation, abuse, or use in disinformation campaigns.
International Organisations: Allowing international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to operate freely in accordance with international humanitarian law and local regulations to deliver essential services to the most vulnerable groups.
Concluding her statement, the British Ambassador affirmed her country’s readiness to support comprehensive Libyan efforts aimed at restoring the rule of law and achieving justice for victims. London reiterated its support for extending the mandate of the International Criminal Court in Libya, alongside calls demanding the launch of a comprehensive transitional justice process based on human rights. She emphasised that international support for Libya must ensure transitional justice efforts are inclusive, victim-centred, and lead to genuine accountability for those responsible.