LIBYA – Libya urged to pursue transitional justice strategy
THE UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called on Libyan authorities to implement a transitional justice strategy in order to rebuild and reshape its decades-long history of dictatorial cruelty and last year’s civil war. A report entitled ‘Transitional Justice – Foundation for a New Libya’ makes several recommendations that UNSMIL believes will move Libya’s national congress and new government toward a more democratic state, a transition the organisation concedes will not be easy after the 40-year autocratic rule of Muammar Gaddafi.
Among the suggestions, UNSMIL called for a victim-oriented approach to the new Libyan judicial process and improved due process, noting that prosecutors should end the continued detention of about 700 people without trial. Additionally, the report recommended increasing public dialogue and debate in Libyan society, establishing reforms to prevent future human rights violations, and addressing conflicts among internal groups for an easier reconciliation and a better understanding of the country’s historical causes of conflict.
In August the National Transitional Council of Libya transferred its power to the newly elected interim legislature, marking a significant step toward the country’s democratic development since the Libya conflict. The UN welcomed the transition and reiterated its support for Libya’s move toward democracy.
