The escalation of arbitrary detentions and deaths in custody by the Internal Security Agency (ISA) under the self-proclaimed Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) marks a disturbing intensification of human rights abuses in Libya.
Development Diaries reports that the ISA has stepped up its crackdown on political opponents and critics, including politicians, activists, poets, and bloggers, in recent months due to entrenched impunity for deaths in custody and other serious human rights abuses by armed groups operating under the command of LAAF.
According to a report by Amnesty International, in sections of eastern and southern Libya under LAAF control, heavily armed ISA agents have detained scores of people without a warrant since January 2024.
These individuals include ladies and men in their 70s who were taken from their homes, streets, or other public spaces.
This wave of repression, targeting politicians, activists, and bloggers, reflects a broader climate of impunity that encourages armed groups to commit grave violations without accountability.
Detaining individuals incommunicado for extended periods and denying them access to legal representation or family support heightens the risk of torture and other ill-treatment, as evidenced by the suspicious deaths in custody.
The ISA’s actions are a stark reminder of the long-standing culture of impunity in Libya, where perpetrators of human rights violations frequently escape justice.
The absence of independent investigations into these deaths and other abuses underscores the lack of accountability within the judicial system, which is compromised by the control of armed factions.
This impunity fosters an environment where armed groups like the ISA can operate above the law, stifling dissent and undermining fundamental freedoms, such as the right to free expression and assembly.
The targeting of individuals based solely on their political opinions or activism demonstrates how the ISA is using its power to silence critics and maintain its grip on regions under LAAF control.
The international community, human rights organisations, and Libya’s judicial authorities must urgently intervene to address this escalating crisis.
Development Diaries calls on the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity to conduct independent investigations into deaths in custody and arbitrary detentions to restore justice and deter future violations.
Also, the Libyan authorities must reform their security apparatus, ensuring that armed groups like the ISA are held accountable for their actions.
Without decisive action, the cycle of impunity and repression will continue, further entrenching human rights abuses and destabilising the region.
Photo source: LAAF
