The UN’s Independent Fact-Finding Mission (IFFM) on Libya Wednesday reported that Libyan authorities have committed crimes against humanity, war crimes, and gross human rights violations  under international law.

The FFM was constituted in June 2020 to document human rights violations in Libya and to ensure those responsible are held accountable. FFM conducted 103 interviews with victims and witnesses during their investigation. 

FFM documented 27 places of detention in the eastern and western parts of Libya and reported that migrants were subject to ”systematic use of prolonged arbitrary detention,” including the detention of thousands of migrants in secret and extra-legal prisons. The report highlights the atrocities of women facing sexual violence from human traffickers and smugglers for extorting families and further documented cases of rape in places of detention or captivity whereby migrant women are forced to have sex in order to survive, in exchange for food or other essential items.

FFM with the use of UNOSAT satellite imagery-based analysis documented atrocities during the Al-Kaniyat militia reign in Tarhuna, Tripolitania Region, and reported the discovery of uncovered new mass grave sites.

Mohammad Aujjar, Chair of the FFM said,

The mission calls for the international community to support the relevant Libyan authorities in conducting prompt investigations, compliant with international standards, into alleged violations and to prosecute those responsible. The aim is to put an end to prevailing impunity in the face of clear and persistent patterns of serious human rights violations, in many cases perpetrated by militia groups… Now more than ever, the Libyan people need a strong commitment to helping them to bring lasting peace and justice to their country, and to establish a state based on rule of law and human rights.

The FFM released its first report on Libya in October 2022 and then released a follow-up report in March 2022.