July 26 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Undersecretary General for Political Affairs and Peace Operations of the UN, Martha Pobee, assured this Monday before the United Nations Security Council that the general situation in Libya in terms of Human Rights is worrying, and has urged the authorities Libyans to address the factors driving the
political and economic stagnation.
“The overall situation in Libya remains highly volatile. Despite the progress made, the constitutional and political stalemate persists… We have witnessed demonstrations by Libyans frustrated by the lack of progress in elections and poor state services “, has maintained Pobee, who has added that the situation of Human Rights in the country “continues to be a matter of serious concern”.
The United Nations undersecretary explained that on July 1 demonstrations were held throughout Libya, including in cities such as Tripoli, Benghazi, Al Bayda and Tobruk. In these protests, the Parliament building in Tobruk was stormed and damaged, as detailed by Pobee in a statement.
“The demonstrators expressed their frustration at the continuing political divisions and the deterioration of living conditions. They demanded the rapid holding of elections and solutions to the country’s electricity crisis and fuel shortages,” stressed Pobee, who has urged the Libyan political actors “to heed the call of their people”.
Likewise, Pobee has pointed out “the continuous political divisions”, including the crisis over the executive and sovereign institutions, which would be prolonging the “tense security environment in and around Tripoli”.
According to the UN Under-Secretary-General, “as armed groups continue to position themselves (…) the risk of escalation increases. Military activity has also increased in the western region, especially on the eastern flank of Tripoli, Misrata and on the outskirts of Sirte”.
OIL LEADERSHIP IN LIBYA
The United Nations has shown its concern over the appointment of the former governor of the Central Bank of Libya as the new president of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), after his predecessor, Mustafa Sanalla, was replaced from his post without accepting the decision.
In this sense, the UN has explained that Libya resumed its oil exports on July 19. “Since April 16, the closure has reduced Libya’s oil exports by two-thirds and cost the country €3 billion in lost revenue,” Pobee said.
“It is too early to confirm whether oil production will resume at full capacity and whether changes to the NOC will further affect oil production and export,” he added, stressing the need for the NOC to remain “neutral and free from pressure from political interests.
HUMAN RIGHTS ARE “REASON FOR CONCERN”
The UN has stated that the economic situation in the country has had a negative impact on people’s fundamental rights to basic services and access to food, water and sanitation, as well as health care and education.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) reportedly received reports that medical facilities lacked oxygen supplies for surgeries and critical care, and clinics across the country were facing serious problems due to prolonged power outages and lack of fuel for generators.
The Mission would also have obtained reports that dozens of demonstrators who participated in the demonstrations on July 1 were arbitrarily detained by armed groups.
“The United Nations reiterates the fundamental right to peaceful assembly, association and freedom of expression, and calls for the release of all those arbitrarily detained,” Pobee told the Security Council.
“The rise in incidents of violence against women during Eid, including the killing of at least six women, including a girl, in Benghazi in the east and Ain Zara and the city of Gharyan in western Libya must be condemned. “, has added.
The United Nations has also shared its concern over the “continuous” detention of nine humanitarian and civil society workers arrested between November 2021 and February 2022 for “peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.” According to the organization, on July 6, four of these arbitrarily detained individuals were again not allowed to be present at their second scheduled court hearing.
“The Libyan authorities must investigate all allegations of torture and other human rights violations. Those responsible must be held accountable at the national level or, as appropriate, before international justice mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court,” added the United Nations in the letter, which has “welcomed” the recent nine-month extension of UNSMIL.
UN SUPPORT FOR LIBYA
The UN undersecretary has asked the Security Council to continue providing support and encouraging Libyan counterparts to focus on “effectively addressing the key factors of the political and economic stagnation, including those that triggered the 1 of July”.
“The message from the young Libyans to their leadership was that they need to do more to improve their living conditions and that they want elections to be held as soon as possible to elect their legitimate representative,” Pobee said, reiterating the United Nations’ readiness in support “the efforts of the African Union to organize a national reconciliation conference”.
On the other hand, the United Nations Undersecretary has detailed that, since the last briefing held before the Council, the leadership of the two Houses has overcome important contentious points and pending provisions of the 2017 Constitutional Proposal, and has agreed on temporary measures that would lead to the holding of national elections.
“The two leaders agreed on a bicameral legislature, as well as the definition of the responsibilities of the president, the prime minister, the cabinet of ministers and the local government. There was also consensus on the establishment of provinces according to the existing electoral districts in Libya and on an income distribution mechanism”, he stated.
Add Comment