The parliamentary committee tasked with monitoring and auditing the status of Libyan prisoners held abroad commenced its activities for 2026 by holding its inaugural meeting this Tuesday at the House of Representatives headquarters. Established under Resolution No. 62 of 2025 issued by the Speaker of Parliament, the committee’s mandate focuses on addressing this legal and humanitarian issue. The session was attended by committee members MPs Al-Salheen Abdel Nabi, Ahmed Al-Sharef, and Al-Yaqoubi, along with legal advisor Ashraf Al-Dous and Counselor Ibrahim Bushnaf, who leads the government-appointed committee for domestic prisoner oversight.
The discussions centered on establishing joint operational mechanisms to ensure institutional coordination between the internal and external prisoner committees, aiming to unify efforts and organize the handling of cases involving detained Libyans globally. Participants emphasized the importance of adopting a clear methodology to resolve outstanding cases and monitor legal proceedings through continuous communication with relevant domestic and international bodies to protect citizens’ rights. Furthermore, the meeting reviewed the status of correctional facilities within Libya, addressing administrative obstacles and the implementation of judicial rulings. The importance of ongoing cooperation with the Deputy Commander-in-Chief was highlighted to support the rule of law and improve the efficiency of rehabilitation institutions in accordance with legal regulations.
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In terms of data, the committee presented an updated statistical report revealing that the total number of Libyans imprisoned abroad has reached 298. The findings indicate that 113 citizens have been released, while judicial verdicts have been reached in 128 cases, with two instances of withdrawal or deportation recorded. The committee further noted the release of an additional 47 prisoners and the repatriation of 18 citizens to Libya, while several cases remain under deliberation before the competent judicial authorities in respective foreign countries.
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Concluding the meeting, the committee underscored the pivotal role of Libyan embassies and diplomatic missions in monitoring prisoner welfare and coordinating with host governments. They stressed the necessity of providing regular official updates to the Speaker of the House and the Attorney General to facilitate swift decision-making. Finally, the attendees agreed to draft a comprehensive proposal for the creation of a specialized authority dedicated to prisoner affairs. This proposal is set to be submitted to the House of Representatives soon to institutionalize and unify efforts, ensuring a more thorough legal and humanitarian follow-up for this vital issue.