Tripoli, 27 April:
Libya’s justice process in relation to crimes committed by the old regime took a major step forward in Tripoli . . .[restrict]on 24 and 25 April. Representatives of civil society organisations from across Libya, alongside representatives of the Libyan government and observers from international bodies including UNSMIL and the EU Delegation to Libya, met to discuss means of supporting Libya’s democratic transition through justice and accountability. The two-day event was coordinated by the international NGO No Peace Without Justice
Following a day of training on the main aspects of transitional justice, and a clear overview of what has already been achieved on this front in Libya, participants agreed to form an informal steering committee to organise a programme pursing justice and accountability in Libya.
The committee’s first objective will be to plan and implement a national consultation that aims to reach out to and engage all Libyans in a conversation about their desires and expectations of a transitional justice process. The consultation will include a number of further regional meetings across the country, as well as other initiatives to involve everyone with a stake in Libya’s ongoing efforts to secure justice for victims and hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
“The challenges of transitional justice are many and varied and while Libya may usefully draw on some of the lessons learnt from other societies in transition, every country is unique,” said Michael Gibb from No Peace Without Justice. “One historical constant has, however, been the importance of successfully engaging all of society in the justice process. The formation of this steering committee is marks an important first step towards securing a stronger connection between the continued development of Libya’s transitional justice process and the many and diverse communities that will be the ultimate judges of its success.”
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