Tripoli, 11 August:
The Libyan Observatory for Human Rights (LOHR) has called on the National Congress to adopt an amnesty for prisoners.
The . . .[restrict]proposal is for the release of non-dangerous prisoners, as well as the release of all prisoners over the age of 65 and the seriously ill. It is intended that the latter groups would be under house arrest pending trial, due to concerns that healthcare provision in the prison system is inadequate for such infirm inmates.
LOHR says it’s proposed amnesty would not include prominent members of the Qaddafi regime, but they believe that any prisoners “with rare talents” should be released so that they can be useful to the country in this period of transition.
The organisation believes the amnesty to be compatible with the teachings of Islam and in the spirit of the revolution. They proposed the move due to fear over the treatment of prisoners in Libya and believe that it would be an important step towards achieving justice and reconciliation in Libyan society.
Prison conditions have been in the spotlight this weekend, after riots at Fornaj prison yesterday resulted in a total loss of control by the authorities. Hundreds of security personnel were at the scene and gun-battles were on-going when the Libya Herald left yesterday evening. [/restrict]
