Latest news with #UNSMIL
Libyan Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Benzeer urges UN to back Libya council plan
Berlin III charts path to unified Libyan governance, says Dr. Ramadan Benzeer Dr. Ramadan Benzeer, Professor of International Law and Human Rights and member of the Scientific Committee at the National Center for Research and Scientific Studies, affirmed that the Berlin III Conference marked a significant milestone in the international community's approach to the Libyan crisis. The conference concluded with broad international consensus around a new roadmap aimed at reuniting Libya under a single executive authority tasked with managing state affairs and preparing for national elections within 18 to 24 months. As part of this roadmap, the plan also envisions the formation of a constituent council to replace both the House of Representatives and the High Council of State—ushering in a new phase of legitimacy and institutional reform. Dr. Benzeer noted that the recommendations of the advisory committee and the outcomes of Berlin III are expected to be codified in a binding international resolution, one that redefines the legal and political foundation of governance in Libya. Speaking during a virtual seminar hosted by the Arab Forum for Cultural Diversity in the United Kingdom and broadcast via the London Air studio, Dr. Benzeer underscored the importance of the fourth option presented by the advisory committee. This option—which calls for the establishment of a unified executive and a constituent council chosen through transparent, merit-based criteria—has reportedly garnered wide approval across the Libyan political and civil spectrum. 'The proposed constituent body must ensure inclusive representation from all components of Libyan society, including political actors, civil society, youth, and women, while maintaining both geographic and demographic balance,' Benzeer emphasized. Dr. Benzeer also issued a direct appeal to Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), urging her to incorporate this fourth option in her forthcoming briefing to the UN Security Council. He warned that public sentiment in Libya is reaching a boiling point, with many perceiving the UN mission as managing the crisis rather than working to resolve it. 'The Libyan public is disillusioned,' he said. 'UNSMIL must demonstrate that it is a committed and effective partner in advancing a political solution—otherwise, we risk further erosion of public trust and deepening national frustration.' Concluding his remarks, Dr. Benzeer reflected on the emphasis placed during the Berlin talks on the rule of law and the establishment of a state governed by institutions. He called for immediate action by the Government of National Unity to uphold judicial integrity. 'What Libya needs most is a fair and independent judiciary, and public officials who respect and implement court rulings,' he stated. 'We urge the Prime Minister to enforce all judicial decisions—particularly the release of those acquitted and the liberation of individuals detained without charge or legal basis. The ongoing failure to implement rulings by the Supreme Court is not only deeply troubling, but wholly unacceptable in any lawful state.'
Libya Observer
3 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
UN trains Libya's human rights council on detention monitoring
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has held a workshop to strengthen the capacity of the country's National Council for Civil Liberties and Human Rights. The training, held at the mission's headquarters on Wednesday, brought together 25 participants from council branches across eastern and western Libya. According to a statement by UNSMIL, the workshop focused on strengthening the council's compliance with the 'Paris Principles' — international standards for national human rights institutions. Participants received in-depth training on detention monitoring, including the UN's Mandela Rules for the treatment of prisoners and the Bangkok Rules for female detainees. The session concluded with the development of a standardized checklist to be used during future prison visits, aimed at ensuring human rights protections inside detention facilities. The UNSMIL said the workshop is part of ongoing efforts to support Libyan institutions and foster a human rights-based approach to detention monitoring and governance. Tags: UNSMIL National Commission for Human Rights in Libya
Libyan Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
UN presses Libya on disappeared MP Siham Sergiwa
UN links MP disappearances to systemic abuse in Libya On 17 July 2025, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) marked six years since the disappearance of Libyan parliamentarian Siham Sergiwa, renewing its call for a comprehensive, independent, and transparent investigation into her fate and accountability for those responsible. Sergiwa, a prominent elected member of the House of Representatives and a vocal advocate for inclusive governance and civilian rule, was abducted from her home in Benghazi on the night of 17 July 2019. Armed men, widely believed to be loyal to forces under the command of Khalifa Haftar, stormed her residence, assaulted her husband, and took her away to an undisclosed location. Since then, no credible investigation has been launched, and her whereabouts remain unknown. UNSMIL expressed deep alarm at the continued silence surrounding her case and the failure of authorities in eastern Libya to hold anyone accountable. The mission warned that Sergiwa's case is emblematic of a broader pattern of repression and political intimidation. It also drew attention to the disappearance of fellow MP Ibrahim Al-Dersi, who went missing in May 2024, also in Benghazi. In 2025, disturbing footage emerged online showing a man believed to be Al-Dersi bound, blindfolded, and bearing visible signs of torture. Despite public outcry, the incident has not prompted any serious investigation or official response. The UN mission linked these disappearances to a disturbing and well-documented pattern of abuse. In June 2025, international forensic teams uncovered more than 80 bodies buried in mass graves or stored in refrigerated containers at facilities previously operated by the now-defunct Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) in Tripoli. Some of the remains were identified as individuals who had been reported missing. Investigators also found signs of systematic torture, arbitrary executions, and severe violations of human dignity. The SSA, established in 2021 and long accused of operating with impunity, was officially disbanded in May 2025 following the killing of its commander, Abdel Ghani al-Kikli (commonly known as 'Ghaniwa'), during clashes in the capital. Despite its formal dissolution, the legacy of abuse attributed to the SSA continues to raise serious concerns over state-sanctioned violence and the collapse of the rule of law. UNSMIL stressed that the use of enforced disappearances, abductions, arbitrary detention, and torture reflects a systematic strategy to silence dissent and suppress opposition voices. These actions, it warned, constitute grave breaches of international human rights law, and may amount to international crimes prosecutable by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The mission called on Libyan authorities—particularly political and security actors in both the east and west—to take immediate and concrete steps to end these practices. It urged the launch of transparent and impartial investigations into all cases of enforced disappearance, the preservation and forensic examination of newly discovered gravesites, and the prosecution of perpetrators through credible judicial processes. As the fate of Siham Sergiwa remains unresolved six years after her abduction, the UN's renewed appeal underscores a deeper crisis: the entrenchment of impunity, the erosion of justice, and the deliberate targeting of Libya's elected representatives and civil society voices. Without accountability, the mission warned, such abuses will continue to undermine the prospects for peace, stability, and democratic governance in Libya.
Libya Review
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
Libyan University Students Urge End to Delay in National Elections
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) hosted a virtual consultation session on Wednesday with 57 university students from across the country to gather youth perspectives on the future of Libya's political process. Students from 18 municipalities — including Tripoli Center, Abu Salim, Hay Al-Andalus, Ain Zara, Qasr Bin Ghashir, Zawiya, Sabratha, Gharyan, Zintan, Kabaw, Al-Arban, Al-Khums, Sirte, Benghazi, Al-Bayda, Sabha, Bint Baya, and Murzuq — participated in the discussion. They strongly emphasized the urgent need to hold comprehensive presidential and parliamentary elections to restore legitimacy and ensure lasting stability in Libya. Students Back Simultaneous Elections to End Division Most participants favored the first of the advisory committee's proposals — calling for near-simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections — as a way to prevent further political fragmentation. They also highlighted the importance of unifying Libya's divided military and sovereign institutions, warning that the continued fragmentation risks deepening the country's political crisis. Many expressed concern over widespread corruption, which they said poses a serious threat to the credibility of the electoral process. Concerns Over Marginalization and Representation Several students raised concerns about the exclusion of certain cultural and social groups from Libya's political landscape, arguing that such marginalization presents additional barriers to inclusive and fair elections. The session was part of UNSMIL's ongoing initiative to amplify youth voices and promote their involvement in shaping Libya's political future — a crucial step in the broader effort to guide the country toward peace, democracy, and institutional legitimacy. Tags: libyaLibyan Electionsununsmil
Libyan Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Western Libya mayors present roadmap proposals to UN
Copy Link The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) held a meeting with representatives of the Western Region Movement to discuss proposals aimed at advancing a consensus-based political roadmap. UN Special Representative Hanna Serwaa Tetteh and Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs Stephanie Koury met on Monday with a 15-member delegation from the movement, which included the mayors of Ain Zara, Al-Jumail, Al-Manshiyya, Souq al-Jumua, Sorman, Central Zawiya, and Zuwara. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the work of the advisory committee and explore potential pathways for breaking the current political stalemate. The delegation highlighted the importance of unifying Libya's military and security institutions under the leadership of a single, legitimate government with effective authority across the country. They also raised concerns about the proliferation of weapons and increasing military tensions, emphasising the potential risks to civilian safety and stability. A representative, speaking on behalf of 143 local officials (Mokhtars) from 11 municipalities in the western region, conveyed a strong desire for peace and called for inclusive dialogue among all relevant parties to resolve the ongoing conflict. Tetteh reiterated the mission's continued support for de-escalation efforts and its commitment to facilitating a unified national approach that enables the holding of elections and the consolidation of state institutions. She is expected to present the proposed roadmap to the United Nations Security Council during her upcoming briefing in August.
