No Result
View All Result
Monday, December 11, 2023
18 °c
Tripoli
18 ° Tue
20 ° Wed
20 ° Thu
16 ° Fri
  • Advertising
  • Contact
LibyaHerald
  • Home
  • Libya
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Magazine
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Register
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Libya
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Magazine
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result
LibyaHerald
No Result
View All Result
Home Libya

UN concerned by deepening crackdown on civil society in Libya through arbitrary arrests and campaign of social media vilification

Members of Libyan Internal Security Agency and state-affiliated armed groups have arbitrarily detained human rights defenders and civil society actors

bySami Zaptia
March 25, 2022
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
UNHCR finds war criminals on all sides in the conflict
68
SHARES
291
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The UN High Commission for Human Rights said today through its Official Spokesperson that it was ‘‘concerned by the deepening crackdown on civil society in Libya, where arbitrary arrests and a campaign of social media vilification are having a seriously chilling effect on human rights defenders, humanitarian workers, and other civil society actors.

Members of the Internal Security Agency and state-affiliated armed groups have arbitrarily detained human rights defenders and civil society actors, under the pretence of protecting “Libyan and Islamic values”, and have subjected them to torture, verbal harassment and intimidation.

Seven men, aged between 19 and 29, were arbitrarily arrested and detained by the Internal Security Agency (ISA), in Tripoli between November 2021 and March this year. The ISA has since posted videos of the seven men on Facebook, in which these seemingly confess to being “atheist, areligious, secular and feminist”, and to using social media to propagate atheism and contempt for religion.

We have received allegations that these confessions were obtained by coercion, raising serious concerns regarding the use of torture, which is absolutely prohibited. These confessions also implicate several other men and women, many of whom have now gone into hiding after receiving death threats.

The Facebook videos have sparked a wave of hate speeches against human rights defenders. In fact, a list of activists has been circulating on social media with calls to prosecute those on it as apostates under Sharia law and sentence them to death (if found guilty).

RELATED POSTS

LNA tells UN Human Rights Commission not to prejudge “unverified” execution videos

On 13 March 2022, the Tanweer Movement, a prominent social campaign for gender equality and social and cultural rights, was dissolved, members of its board of directors have fled overseas fearing for their safety. Other organizations, including the Libyan Rational Dialogue and Al-Baraka, are being targeted with online hate speech and threats.

We call on the Libyan authorities to immediately stop this aggressive campaign against Libyans exercising and defending their human rights, and to immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, while also ensuring the protection of those named in coerced “confessions”.

The Libyan authorities should also launch prompt and effective investigations into the alleged human rights violations, including allegations of torture, and hold all alleged perpetrators to account, including members of the Internal Security Agency.

A safe, open, and democratic space is critical for Libya, and it cannot be built without full respect for freedom of expression and association.

Tags: United Nations Human Rights Commission
Share28Tweet17Share5

Related Posts

Ensure rights for extradited Qaddafi-era officials, says HRW
Libya

Libya’s Derna flood response cost lives – independent investigation needed: HRW

December 8, 2023
Visiting Egyptian medical team concludes visit after 137 examinations and 72 major operations
Libya

Visiting Egyptian medical team concludes visit after 137 examinations and 72 major operations

December 7, 2023
Attorney General orders arrests at Jumhouria bank branch for embezzlement
Libya

Three gang members imprisoned for attempted fake cheque LD 40 million fraud at Jumhuria bank

December 7, 2023
Attorney General orders arrests at Jumhouria bank branch for embezzlement
Libya

Four from Niger, Chad and China arrested for gold prospecting and entering and residing in Libya illegally – a Libyan arrested too

December 6, 2023
The 2023-24 tree planting season launched to activate the 100 million trees by 2030 initiative
Libya

Ministry of Planning confirms development of integrated plan to plant 100 million trees by 2030

December 4, 2023
Libya hosts first EU WestMed Initiative national event
Libya

Libya hosts first EU WestMed Initiative national event

December 4, 2023
Next Post
NOC announces force majeure at Zawia port

NOC and Total discuss increased production, reduced emissions, renewables and capacity-building

GECOL fighting to bring power back

GECOL and Total discuss necessary arrangements to launch implementation of solar power plant project

[adning id="135590"]
ADVERTISEMENT

Top Stories

  • Libya and Shell discuss several areas of cooperation

    Ministry of Oil and Gas denounces Egypt’s signing of agreement with South Korea to export Libyan oil without its knowledge

    106 shares
    Share 42 Tweet 27
  • At COP28, NOC launches ambitious ‘Think Tomorrow’ environmental initiative

    82 shares
    Share 33 Tweet 21
  • Libyan Airports Authority discusses joint investment with Malta’s Corinthia Group

    73 shares
    Share 29 Tweet 18
  • Indonesian embassy to start issuing visas from Tripoli this December

    127 shares
    Share 57 Tweet 29
  • After an 8-year closure, Algerian-Libyan Ghadames border crossing to reopen on 12 December

    58 shares
    Share 23 Tweet 15
LibyaHerald

The Libya Herald first appeared on 17 February 2012 – the first anniversary of the Libyan Revolution. Since then, it has become a favourite go-to source on news about Libya, for many in Libya and around the world, regularly attracting millions of hits.

Recent News

National Planning Council announces 2040 comprehensive development programme and launches 2025 urgent development plan

Ministry of Oil and Gas denounces Egypt’s signing of agreement with South Korea to export Libyan oil without its knowledge

Sitemap

  • Why subscribe?
  • Terms & Conditions
  • FAQs
  • Copyright & Intellectual Property Rights
  • Subscribe now

Newsletters

    Be the first to know latest important news & events directly to your inbox.

    Sending ...

    By signing up, I agree to our TOS and Privacy Policy.

    © 2022 LibyaHerald - Powered by Sparx Solutions.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Login
    • Sign Up
    • Cart
    • Libya
    • Business
    • Advertising
    • About us
    • BusinessEye Magazine
    • Letters
    • Features
    • Why subscribe?
    • FAQs
    • Contact

    © 2022 LibyaHerald - Powered by Sparx Solutions.

    Welcome Back!

    Sign In with Facebook
    Sign In with Linked In
    OR

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password? Sign Up

    Create New Account!

    Sign Up with Facebook
    Sign Up with Linked In
    OR

    Fill the forms bellow to register

    *By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
    All fields are required. Log In

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In
    This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
    Are you sure want to unlock this post?
    Unlock left : 0
    Are you sure want to cancel subscription?