Urgent Call for Action Against Abuses by Libya’s Internal Security Agency

Amnesty International reports that the Internal Security Agency (ISA) in eastern Libya is involved in serious human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention and torture. As Libya’s parliament discusses a budget proposal that allocates funds to these groups, Amnesty urges the Government of National Unity (GNU) to ensure accountability rather than legitimizing abusive militias. The ISA, comprising former Gaddafi-era officers, has resumed horrific practices against dissenters, prompting global condemnation and calls for immediate reform.

Amnesty International has reported serious human rights abuses perpetrated by the Internal Security Agency (ISA) in eastern Libya, which include arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and torture of critics. These abuses occur amidst discussions in the House of Representatives regarding a 2021 budget that allocates funds to such armed groups, including the ISA. The organization urges the Government of National Unity (GNU) to refrain from legitimizing these militias and instead pursue accountability for their actions.

Former officers from the Gaddafi regime have rejoined the ISA, reviving oppressive tactics to silence dissent, particularly targeting individuals based on tribal affiliations or political opinions. Heba Morayef, the Regional Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa office, condemned these practices, stating that perpetrators must be held accountable rather than integrated into state structures. Proper vetting is essential due to their history of human rights violations.

Amnesty conducted interviews revealing ISA-affiliated armed groups have abducted individuals indiscriminately in areas like Benghazi and Derna. Detainees experience severe abuse, including beatings and threats of sexual violence, while being denied communication with the outside world. Reports suggest that since 2014, these groups have unlawfully detained hundreds, using torture as a means of coercion.

Human rights violations extend to women, highlighted by the abduction of Haneen al-Abduli for her activism regarding the murder of her mother. Others have been detained for years without trial, with many coerced to sign agreements limiting their freedoms. The ISA employs intimidation against activists and critics, suppressing public dissent through fear of reprisal.

The GNU’s recent budget proposal allocates significant financial resources to the ISA and other militias with checkered pasts, including 260 million LYD to the ISA and 2.5 billion LYD to the LAAF. This funding arrangement raises serious concerns about the legitimacy and potential empowerment of abusive entities.

Historically, multiple entities have vied for control in Libya since its division in 2014. The ISA emerged under General Khalifa Haftar’s LAAF rule and has a history of employing Gaddafi-era practices to maintain power. Despite changes in governance, abuses by these groups persist, raising urgent calls for international accountability and reform.

In conclusion, the situation in Libya remains dire as the Internal Security Agency continues to perpetrate severe human rights violations under the guise of state authority. Amnesty International emphasizes the necessity for the Government of National Unity to reject funding for these armed groups and focus on accountability. Challenges stemming from the historical context and ongoing conflicts threaten the establishment of effective governance, necessitating urgent international attention and intervention to protect human rights and uphold the rule of law.

Original Source: www.amnesty.org