Migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in Libya are enduring ruthless and systematic human rights violations, including killings, torture, sexual violence and trafficking, according to a new report published today by the UN human rights office, OHCHR.
Tag Archives: human rights violations
Millions pushed to ‘brink of survival’ in Sudan
Over 900 days of brutal conflict, widespread human rights violations, famine, and the collapse of essential services have driven millions of people in Sudan to the “brink of survival” – with women and children bearing the heaviest burden.
DR Congo: Human rights violations could amount to war crimes, UN experts say
In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwandan-backed rebels, Congolese troops, and allied militias have all committed human rights abuses, some possibly amounting to war crimes, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in Geneva on Monday.
Libya: UN announces “truce committee” as ceasefire holds after violence clashes in Tripoli
Relative quiet has returned to Libya’s capital Tripoli, after violent clashes between rival militia groups caused chaos in the city last week.
Fighting erupted on 12 May following the killing of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, the commander of the Stability Support Authority (SSA), one of the most powerful militias in the country.
Al-Kikli, also known as “Gheniwa”, had been accused of war crimes and human rights violations by Amnesty International. He was reportedly killed in a facility run by rival group 444 Brigade.
The clashes that ensued were some of Tripoli’s heaviest in years and killed at least 8 civilians, according to the United Nations.
The Libyan government announced a ceasefire on 14 May. In a statement on Sunday, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said a “truce committee” had been established to protect civilians and ensure the permanence of the ceasefire.
Libya has known little stability since the 2011 uprising that plunged the country into civil war and resulted in the death of longtime autocrat Muammar Gaddafi.
Eastern Libya is run by a Tobruk-based government under the de facto leadership of military chief Khalifa Haftar, who commands the Libyan National Army.
Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah leads the Government of National Unity which controls the west of the country and has been recognised by the UN Security Council since 2021.
Disagreements between rival factions have prevented the organisation of elections, and Dbeibah has remained in power since then.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Tripoli on 16 May to demand the removal of Dbeibah and his government, and to call for elections.
Demonstrators have accused Dbeibah of failing to restore stability and of being complicit in the growing power of armed groups. At least three ministers resigned following these calls.
Prime Minister Dbeibah has since promised to eliminate militias and corruption in the country.
“We will not spare anyone who continues to engage in corruption or extortion. Our goal is to create a Libya free of militias and corruption”, he said in a televised speech on Saturday.
Congo’s opposition leader kidnapped in Brazzaville
Lassy Mbouity, leader of the opposition party Les Socialistes Congolais and a candidate in Congo’s March 2026 presidential election, was abducted last Sunday in Brazzaville by armed and masked men — just days after surviving an assassination attempt.
His party blame the government. “We are convinced it’s Brazzaville’s dictatorial regime behind this. It’s not the first time. He’s been arrested before, and the people who came to his home were masked, armed, and using a vehicle without a number plate. That’s why we believe it’s a kidnapping. We plan to continue mobilizing — not just among socialists but across the Congolese population and diaspora.” Martial Mbourangon Pa’nucci, party spokesperson for Les Socialistes Congolais, said.
A number of opposition parties joined the Les Socialistes Congolais to issue a joint statement on Thursday condemning the Kidnapping and demanding Mbouity’s unconditional release.
“This cowardly act is part of a worrying escalation of terror, intimidation, and systematic human rights violations in the Republic of Congo. It’s a serious breach of personal freedom and a direct violation of Article 9 of the October 25, 2015 Constitution. We demand Lassy Mbouity’s immediate release.” Clément Mierassa, head of the Congolese Social Democratic Party, said.
Congo’s Human Rights Organization has also joined the chorus of alarm, it has issued an urgent appeal for help from diplomats and international bodies.
The government has yet to respond the accusations of kidnapping.
???Lesotho: Prime Minister’s first 100 days fails to tackle past human rights violations
Prime Minister Thomas Thabane’s first 100 days in office have fallen far short in tackling the deeply entrenched culture of impunity for past human rights violations, Amnesty International said today.
After more than three months of his premiership, there is no clear progress in a series of cases involving killings by Lesotho’s security forces and the attempted murder of a journalist in the country.
“Prime Minister Thabane’s government has missed an opportunity in these 100 days to demonstrate a clear break from the past to ensure accountability for past human rights violations,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for Southern Africa. Continue reading ???Lesotho: Prime Minister’s first 100 days fails to tackle past human rights violations