The UN calls for “an immediate investigation” into “brutal torture” in a prison in eastern Libya

Condemns the “shocking” images on social networks of mistreatment in a detention center in Gernada

Jan. 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United Nations has called for an “immediate and transparent investigation” into acts of torture of detainees in a prison in eastern Libya, following “shocking” images circulating on social networks of mistreatment in the Gernada detention center. , about 250 kilometers away from the city of Benghazi.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has expressed its “alarm” at these images of “brutal torture and ill-treatment” in these facilities, in which “numerous detainees, Libyans and foreigners, are seen being subjected to violent attacks and uncomfortable positions by uniformed guards.

“The images are consistent with the documented patterns of Human Rights violations in detention centers in Libya,” the mission said in a statement on its account on the social network X, where it assured that it is working to “verify” the videos. published.

Likewise, he stressed that he “firmly condemns these acts”, which “represent serious violations of International Humanitarian Law, including the prohibition of torture”, while emphasizing the need for those responsible for these acts to be “held accountable”. before justice.

“UNSMIL is coordinating with the General Command of the Libyan National Army to gain unrestricted access to Human Rights officers and other independent monitors of the Gernada facility, as well as other detention centers under its control,” he concluded.

The Libyan National Army, headed by General Khalifa Haftar, is aligned with the authorities based in the east of the country, within the framework of the administrative division that the African country is suffering in the context of the crisis unleashed after the capture and execution in 2011 of the country’s then leader, Muammar Gaddafi, during an armed uprising.

The Ministry of Justice of the internationally recognized government, based in the capital, Tripoli, has joined the condemnations, which has said that the images represent evidence of the commission of “crimes against humanity”, according to a statement published on its account. on the social network Facebook.

For this reason, he has demanded the “immediate and unconditional” release of all those detained and that the eastern authorities launch a “transparent investigation” into “these atrocious practices” with the aim of holding “those responsible to account.”

In recent years, the country has become one of the main transit points for migrants arriving from sub-Saharan African countries with the intention of embarking on dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea to reach European coasts. The United Nations and various NGOs have reported that many of these people are exposed to abuses and violations of their rights at the hands of criminal groups and even militias associated with the Libyan authorities.

Libya is divided into two administrations after the House of Representatives terminated the mandate of Abdul Hamid Dbeibé due to the postponement of the presidential elections in December 2021 and appointed Fazi Bashaga to the position, later suspended from office and replaced by Osama Hamad. Dbeibé rejected the decision and chose to remain in office until elections were held.