“Our worst held fears are being confirmed: dozens of our bodies have been found at these websites, together with the invention of suspected devices of torture and abuse, and potential proof of extrajudicial killings,” Türk stated.
The websites the place our bodies had been found are run by the Stabilization Assist Equipment (SSA), an armed group tasked with growing Authorities safety within the capital, Tripoli. They’ve lengthy been suspected by the UN Assist Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) – and unbiased rights consultants – to be websites of torture and enforced disappearance.
Mr. Türk referred to as for these websites to be sealed for forensic investigations to help accountability.
Libya has endured turmoil for the reason that fall of the Muammar Gaddafi regime 15 years in the past and the emergence of rival administrations in 2014: the UN-recognized Authorities of Nationwide Unity (GNU) in Tripoli and the Authorities of Nationwide Stability (GNS) based mostly in Benghazi.
The UN has supported many finally unsuccessful makes an attempt to reunite the nation and transition to democratic governance.
Over 80 our bodies found
In Might, the chief of the SSA – Abdul Ghani al-Kikli – was killed, triggering clashes between armed teams and state safety forces. Protests additionally emerged, calling for an finish to violence in Tripoli. A number of civilians had been killed and infrastructure – together with hospitals – broken.
Within the wake of this violence, 10 badly charred our bodies had been found on the SSA headquarters within the Abu Salim neighbourhood. 67 extra our bodies had been found at hospitals in Abu Salim and Al Khadra hospitals, all in fridges and in numerous states of decay.
The UN human rights workplace OHCHR additionally stated {that a} burial website was found on the Tripoli Zoo, which is run by the SSA.
The identities of the our bodies should not recognized at this stage.
Human rights abuses, in any respect ranges
These weren’t the primary mass graves found in Libya. In February, two mass graves had been discovered in Jakharrah and Al-Kufra with 10 and 93 our bodies respectively. Many of those our bodies had been migrants who’re uniquely susceptible to human trafficking, compelled disappearance and killings.
The Worldwide Group for Migration (IOM) recorded over 1,000 migrant deaths and disappearances in Libya in 2024 alone.
Mr. Türk expressed concern not solely concerning the our bodies found just lately in Tripoli and the human rights abuses they verify, but additionally concerning the drive with which protests had been met close to the tip of final month.
“We’ve got acquired experiences that these protests had been themselves met with pointless drive, elevating severe considerations with respect to the assure of the basic rights of freedom of expression and meeting,” he stated.
The Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights additionally famous that photos and movies of the our bodies are circulating on social media, prompting him to name for preserving the dignity and privateness of victims.
Seal the websites, protect the proof
The Authorities of Nationwide Unity, the internationally-recognized administration based mostly in Tripoli, introduced the creation of two committees to analyze human rights abuses dedicated by State safety forces, each in relation to the our bodies and the protests.
Whereas Türk famous this, he expressed concern that forensic authorities haven’t been allowed into the websites to look at and protect associated proof.
He referred to as on Libyan authorities to seal the just lately found websites and promote fast accountability efforts.
“These liable for these atrocious acts should be dropped at justice directly, in accordance with worldwide requirements,” he stated.
Mr. Türk additionally urged all stakeholders to commit as soon as extra to transition makes an attempt to be able to transfer Libya in direction of an inclusive democracy as soon as and for all, ending the “recurring cycle of transitional agreements.”
“The folks of Libya have clearly expressed their demand for fact and justice, and their craving for a peaceable and protected lifestyle with human rights and freedoms on the entrance and centre,” the Excessive Commissioner added.
