Libya Accepts ICC Jurisdiction to Investigate War Crimes Amid…

Libya has recognized the ICC’s authority to investigate war crimes in its territory, as announced by chief prosecutor Karim Khan. This acknowledgment comes despite Libya not being a signatory to the ICC treaty. Khan noted the progress in addressing atrocities in detention centers and urged cooperation from Libyan authorities, particularly for the suspect Osama Elmasry Njeem, who faces serious allegations. However, challenges remain in enforcing this cooperation and achieving accountability, especially amidst international tensions with the U.S.

In a notable move, Libya has acknowledged the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to probe alleged war crimes on its soil, despite not being a signatory to the court’s founding treaty. This announcement came from chief prosecutor Karim Khan during a UN Security Council session held via video conference. Mr. Khan expressed his appreciation for the Libyan authorities’ readiness to accept ICC jurisdiction, emphasizing the importance of confronting the ongoing suffering in the nation.

Mr. Khan described progress made in revealing the “black box of suffering” along the Mediterranean, an allusion to the detention facilities where alleged atrocities have occurred. He asserted that Libyan authorities have shown a willingness to collaborate with the ICC and urged the transfer of a suspect, Osama Elmasry Njeem, who stands accused of severe crimes, including those against migrants and refugees.

The prosecutor referred to an “unprecedented six months of dynamism” in Libya’s legal landscape, highlighting the recent arrest of Mr. Njeem, a former commander of the disbanded Special Deterrence Force, who oversaw the Mitiga detention center. Accusations against him include war crimes, murder, rape, and torture. Notably, Mr. Njeem was detained briefly in Italy before being released due to procedural issues, much to the dismay of victims, as noted by Mr. Khan.

Mr. Khan remarked on the disappointment felt by victims regarding Mr. Njeem’s return to Libya, stressing the necessity for authorities to surrender him to the ICC. He underscored that Libya has been under ICC inquiry since 2011, when the Security Council referred the situation amid the civil unrest that led to the downfall of Muammar Qaddafi.

The ICC, which initiated its investigation shortly thereafter, has issued arrest warrants for twelve individuals tied to alleged crimes during the 2011 revolution, the subsequent conflict from 2014 to 2020, and abuses in detention centers. While three of the wanted suspects have died, the hunt for eight continues, and a case against Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, Abdullah Al Senussi, was deemed inadmissible.

To date, Libyan authorities have not captured any ICC suspects since the investigation began in 2011, which has hindered efforts to achieve justice. There has been limited responsiveness from the Security Council regarding previous ICC requests for cooperation from Libya.

In the backdrop of these developments, Mr. Khan’s briefing comes after U.S. President Donald Trump’s February executive order that imposed sanctions on ICC officials, including the chief prosecutor. Additionally, the U.S. acting alternate representative to the UN, John Kelley, criticized the ICC, labeling it a “politicized” entity and claiming bias against the U.S. and Israel.

The ICC’s recent actions included issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials over alleged war crimes conducted during military actions in Gaza, which further complicates international relations. A coalition of nine Security Council members, all ICC signatories, condemned attacks on the court and its officials, insisting that such actions undermine accountability for serious crimes.

In summary, Libya’s acceptance of the ICC’s jurisdiction to investigate war crimes signals a crucial step towards accountability in the nation. However, challenges remain due to the lack of cooperation from Libyan authorities in arresting suspects. The backdrop of international tensions, particularly with U.S. relations towards the ICC, adds complexity to the situation. The ICC’s continued investigations aim to unearth truths about the human rights violations that have afflicted Libya since 2011.

Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com