Amnesty International condemns the Government of National Unity’s proposed budget that allocates funds to the Internal Security Agency in Libya, highlighting the group’s history of human rights abuses. The report describes severe violations such as torture and arbitrary detention against dissenters. It calls for accountability rather than legitimization of abusive militias, emphasizing the urgent need to protect human rights in the region.
The Amnesty International report highlights severe human rights abuses committed by the Internal Security Agency (ISA) in eastern Libya. This group has engaged in arbitrary detentions, torture, and enforced disappearances of critics and opponents, often targeting individuals based on tribal affiliations. Amnesty urges Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) to withhold legitimacy and funding from these abusive armed militias and groups, including the ISA, who have historically perpetuated violence against civilians.
The report outlines the troubling rise of former Gaddafi-era security officers who have joined ISA and continued brutal repression. There are numerous accounts of abductions and torture against those voicing dissent or criticism in eastern Libya. Heba Morayef of Amnesty International underscores the need for accountability rather than incorporation of these groups into state institutions, advocating for rigorous vetting processes before any such actions.
Amnesty International conducted interviews with 15 individuals affected by ISA’s operations in cities like Benghazi and Derna. Testimonies reveal systematic targeting of activists, journalists, and critics, as ISA engages in policies reminiscent of Gaddafi-era repression, capturing individuals in public or private spaces without warrants, and torturing them to extract confessions or information.
Reports indicate that ISA personnel often commit violence during arrests, leading to severe physical and psychological trauma among detainees. These abuses include physical beatings, threats of sexual violence, and extended periods of detention without legal rights. A specific account details the mistreatment of a man arrested for criticizing pandemic measures, showcasing the regime’s intolerance for dissent.
Women are similarly targeted, with cases like that of Haneen al-Abduli, abducted for demanding justice for her deceased mother. Many detainees have faced military trials or were coerced into silence about their experiences. The ISA’s actions have instilled fear in the Libyan populace, compelling individuals to refrain from exercising their rights due to threats from the agency.
The GNU’s budget proposal has raised alarms as it allocates significant funds to the ISA and other armed factions known for their abusive history. This approach risks legitimizing these militias while failing to address the ongoing cycle of violence and repression. Amnesty International emphasizes the importance of holding perpetrators accountable rather than supporting militia groups that foster an environment of fear and violence in Libya.
Since 2014, Libya has struggled with division between competing political entities and armed groups. The ISA, initially formed during operations by the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), evolved into an influential entity under the LAAF’s informal control. Amnesty International maintains that the historical context and the interplay of these armed groups must be recognized to forge a path toward justice and human rights in Libya.
In summary, the alarming report by Amnesty International illustrates the grave human rights violations perpetrated by the Internal Security Agency (ISA) in eastern Libya, underscoring the necessity for the Government of National Unity to withhold support from such abusive armed groups. The evidence presented demonstrates an urgent need for accountability, where the rights and voices of Libyan citizens must be safeguarded against repression. Failure to address these issues risks perpetuating a cycle of violence and undermines the principles of justice in Libya.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
