Human Rights Solidarity group expressed its concern over the continued forced evictions and “serious” violations of the basic right to housing in the city of Benghazi. It said in a statement that armed groups affiliated with what it called the “de facto authorities” in Benghazi, arbitrarily demolished the homes of residents in the Jaliana area without any commitment to legal procedures.
The group said that the authorities in Benghazi exerted pressure on the residents to force them to accept little financial compensation that is not worth anything of the value of the property and is not enough to cover the rent of a housing allowance, let alone buying it. It added that these “unfair” practices exacerbated the suffering of the affected families, especially in light of the deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
The group indicated that it had sent an official letter on October 20 to the real estate company “Emaar”, headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, calling on it to take a responsible position and ensure that it is not involved in projects related to forced evictions. It explained that it had not received any response from the company so far, renewing its call on "Emaar" not to engage in any projects on "the usurped lands in the center and suburbs of Benghazi".
The group reiterated its confirmation that the forced eviction of residents taking place in Benghazi is a serious violation of Libyan law and international human rights standards, noting that the properties and lands seized by force of arms are considered usurped property. It demanded ensuring that the affected families receive their full rights, including fair compensation for the damages they have suffered.
