The UN envoy: Politicians, academics and activists are arbitrarily detained in Benghazi, Sirte and Tripoli.

New York, December 18, 2023 (LANA) - The UN envoy, Abdullah Batili, expressed his concern about the continued arbitrary arrests of members of political parties, academics, and activists in Benghazi, Sirte, and Tripoli, without their access to justice.

In his briefing to the Security Council on Monday, Batili said that over the past nine months, security authorities have arbitrarily detained at least 60 people, including children, because of their actual or presumed political affiliations, and the real number may be much higher.

The UN envoy added that these arrests not only constitute a violation of the basic rights of detainees, but also lead to the erosion of the rule of law in Libya and cause a decline in Libyans’ confidence in the judicial system and the political process.

Batili stressed that a thriving civic space to which Libyans contribute through dialogue, opposition and mutual understanding is crucial to the political process.

  ..(LANA)..