Human Rights Council, 48th session
Item 10: Interactive dialogue with the Fact Finding Mission on the human rights
situation in Libya
Statement delivered by Denmark on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic
countries
7 October 2021
I deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries.
We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Libya, with
thousands of civilians being killed and injured, in enforced disappearances,
torture and other ill-treatment, in arbitrary arrest and detention, and in sexual and
gender-based violence.
We thank the Fact Finding Mission for its report and reiterate our strong support
for its mandate. We commend the continued cooperation by the Libyan
authorities with the mission, as evidenced by the visit in August. The work of the
mission is essential in ensuring accountability. Thus, it’s mandate should be
renewed for one year.
However, we are concerned that many witnesses have declined to engage with
the mission because of fears for their safety. We echo the call by the mission to
the Libyan authorities to ensure that everyone is free – and feels free – to
cooperate with the mission.
We would like to ask: What immediate measures should the Government of
National Unity take to best support the victims of torture and other ill-treatment,
arbitrary arrest and detention, and sexual and gender-based violence in Libya?
I thank you.