30th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC30): Joint Statement: Libya's UPR Review

United Nations Human Rights Council: 30th Session

Oral Intervention- Item 6: UPR of Libya

25 September 2015

Delivered by: Mr. Hassan Al-Amine

Mr. President,

CIHRS and OMCT in cooperation with the Libyan Coalition for the UPR welcomesthe government of Libya’s stated commitment to the UPR process and itsacceptance of most recommendations. However, we remain concerned at the lack ofconcrete and serious steps to implement these recommendations.

In this context, wecall on the Libyan authorities to adopt a four-year national action plan toensure the implementation of its UPR recommendations and to ensure consultationand cooperation with all stakeholders, including civil society, during itsformation and application.

The human rights and the humanitarian situation in Libya continues todeteriorate across the country. Militiasand paramilitary groups on all sides of the current conflict continue to commitgrave violations that could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Violations include direct and indiscriminate attacks against civiliansand civilian infrastructure, unlawful killings, torture and ill-treatment inofficial and illegal detention facilities, arbitrary arrests, abductions,enforced disappearances, and forced displacement. These violations are fueledin large part by an almost total lack of effective accountability mechanismswithin the country.

We further call for concrete and effectivesteps to be taken to remedy the obstacles that will hinder the implementation ofUPR recommendations. Namely, the widespread lack of accountability for seriouscrimes committed by all armed factions and the failure to form a coherentvetting process for security institutions. Furthermore, Libyan authorities have failed toestablish a mechanism for transitional justice and in doing so have denied truthand reconciliation to Libyan citizens. The Libyan authorities should not delaytheir efforts to remedy these failures or seek to justify them under thepretext of “protecting revolutionary gains” or “the fight against terrorism”.

Public commitments and recommendations are not enough, and time isrunning out. Unless real, on-the-ground,progress is made to provide for the rule of law, democratic governance andbasic freedoms then a durable peaceful solution to the current crises willlikely remain a distant dream.

Thank you Mr.President.