Libya Crimes Watch (LCW) has expressed in a statement its grave concern regarding the alarming escalation of human rights violations in Libya, having documented three extrajudicial killings between November 3 and 25, 2024.
LCW said the victims – a Palestinian woman and two Libyan men – died in an unofficial prison operated by the General Directorate for Security Operations (GDSO) in Benghazi, in Ras Al-Mangar area.
"On November 1, Enas, a Palestinian national, was forcibly detained from her residence in Al-Marj Libya by armed personnel affiliated with the GDSO in Benghazi. She was transferred to an unofficial prison in Ras Al-Mangar area, Benghazi. Two days later, her family received notification of her death and was instructed to collect her body from Benghazi Medical Centre, with authorities providing no explanation regarding the cause of her death." LCW said.
"On November 8, Otham Hussien Al-Fitoury (66) was detained near his residence in Al-Lathama district, Benghazi. His family received an anonymous call directing them to collect his body from Benghazi Medical Center, where evident signs of torture were visible on his body.
On November 14, Hussein Salem Al-Fazani (57) was detained from his residence in Ras Obeida district, Benghazi, and taken to the same unofficial prison. On November 25, his family received a call instructing them to collect his body from Benghazi Medical Center, following his death under mysterious circumstances with no explanation provided." It added.
LCW said the GDSO has prohibited forensic medical examinations to determine causes of death and denied victims’ families any official documentation from the hospital, including medical reports or burial permits.
It indicated that these incidents occur within the context of a systematic arbitrary arrest campaign initiated in early October, during which LCW has monitored the detention of more than 20 individuals, predominantly followers of Sufi orders in Benghazi, Al-Marj, Sirte, and other areas in eastern Libya. The GSOD has charged them with practicing sorcery without referring them to public prosecution or ensuring their right to due process.
LCW has said it holds the House of Representatives (HoR) its designated Libyan Government and its Interior Ministry fully accountable for these grave violations and demands immediate action to halt the arbitrary arrest campaign, ensure disclosure of all detainees’ fate at the unofficial Ras Al-Mangar prison, and refer them to the public prosecution according to fair legal procedures, in line with national and international human rights obligations.
LCW called upon the Libyan Attorney General to launch an urgent and transparent investigation into these crimes and take effective measures to hold those responsible accountable according to international fair trial standards to ensure no impunity.
