“Our worst held fears are being confirmed: dozens of our bodies have been found at these websites, together with the invention of suspected devices of torture and abuse, and potential proof of extrajudicial killings,” Türk stated.
The websites the place our bodies had been found are run by the Stabilization Help Equipment (SSA), an armed group tasked with rising Authorities safety within the capital, Tripoli. They’ve lengthy been suspected by the UN Help Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) – and impartial rights consultants – to be websites of torture and enforced disappearance.
Mr. Türk referred to as for these websites to be sealed for forensic investigations to assist accountability.
Libya has endured turmoil because the fall of the Muammar Gaddafi regime 15 years in the past and the emergence of rival administrations in 2014: the UN-recognized Authorities of Nationwide Unity (GNU) in Tripoli and the Authorities of Nationwide Stability (GNS) primarily based in Benghazi.
The UN has supported many finally unsuccessful makes an attempt to reunite the nation and transition to democratic governance.
Over 80 our bodies found
In Could, the chief of the SSA – Abdul Ghani al-Kikli – was killed, triggering clashes between armed teams and state safety forces. Protests additionally emerged, calling for an finish to violence in Tripoli. A number of civilians had been killed and infrastructure – together with hospitals – broken.
Within the wake of this violence, 10 badly charred our bodies had been found on the SSA headquarters within the Abu Salim neighbourhood. 67 extra our bodies had been found at hospitals in Abu Salim and Al Khadra hospitals, all in fridges and in numerous states of decay.
The UN human rights workplace OHCHR additionally stated {that a} burial web site was found on the Tripoli Zoo, which is run by the SSA.
The identities of the our bodies usually are not recognized at this stage.
Human rights abuses, in any respect ranges
These weren’t the primary mass graves found in Libya. In February, two mass graves had been found in Jakharrah and Al-Kufra with 10 and 93 our bodies respectively. Many of those our bodies had been migrants who’re uniquely susceptible to human trafficking, pressured disappearance and killings.
The Worldwide Group for Migration (IOM) recorded over 1,000 migrant deaths and disappearances in Libya in 2024 alone.
Mr. Türk expressed concern not solely concerning the our bodies found lately in Tripoli and the human rights abuses they affirm, but in addition concerning the pressure with which protests had been met close to the top of final month.
“We now have acquired reviews that these protests had been themselves met with pointless pressure, elevating severe considerations with respect to the assure of the basic rights of freedom of expression and meeting,” he stated.
The Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights additionally famous that pictures and movies of the our bodies are circulating on social media, prompting him to name for preserving the dignity and privateness of victims.
Seal the websites, protect the proof
The Authorities of Nationwide Unity, the internationally-recognized administration primarily based in Tripoli, introduced the creation of two committees to research human rights abuses dedicated by State safety forces, each in relation to the our bodies and the protests.
Whereas Türk famous this, he expressed concern that forensic authorities haven’t been allowed into the websites to look at and protect associated proof.
He referred to as on Libyan authorities to seal the lately found websites and promote instant accountability efforts.
“These answerable for these atrocious acts should be dropped at justice immediately, in accordance with worldwide requirements,” he stated.
Mr. Türk additionally urged all stakeholders to commit as soon as extra to transition makes an attempt as a way to transfer Libya in the direction of an inclusive democracy as soon as and for all, ending the “recurring cycle of transitional agreements.”
“The folks of Libya have clearly expressed their demand for fact and justice, and their craving for a peaceable and secure lifestyle with human rights and freedoms on the entrance and centre,” the Excessive Commissioner added.
