UNSMIL urges suspension of executions in Libya

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has expressed “deep” concern regarding more than 30 executions carried out in recent weeks in eastern Libya, an area under the control of Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The mission has urged authorities to “immediately suspend” any new executions, noting that the resumption of the death penalty raises “genuine concerns” regarding human rights.

UNSMIL stated it has maintained “intense contacts” with authorities to request a suspension of death sentences and a “thorough and credible review” of cases, in accordance with national and international human rights commitments. The mission expressed regret that executions have continued despite these efforts.

The Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeiba in western Libya, has also strongly condemned the application of the death penalty in the east. The GNU noted that the continued existence of detention centers and judicial procedures operating outside a unified national authority creates an environment of “recurrent violations” of the law.