Overview

Rival militias used large-calibre weapons in an imprecise manner in densely populated areas, resulting in civilian casualties. Armed groups and militias arbitrarily arrested social media users and others for exercising their rights to freedom of expression. Thousands of people remained arbitrarily detained. Torture and other ill-treatment remained widespread and systematic. “Confessions” extracted under torture were published online. Women, girls and members of ethnic minorities faced entrenched discrimination. LGBTI individuals were subjected to arbitrary arrests and prosecutions. The EU-backed Libyan Coast Guard (LCG) in western Libya and armed groups in eastern Libya continued to intercept thousands of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants at sea and forcibly return them to detention where they were subjected to torture or other ill-treatment and sexual violence. The LCG fired at two NGO rescue boats. Thousands were collectively and summarily expelled to neighbouring countries. A militia in western Libya suspended the operations of international organizations supporting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. Courts imposed death sentences following unfair trials; no executions were recorded. Impunity for crimes under international law remained entrenched in Libya, but for the first time since the situation of Libya was referred to the ICC in 2011, a suspect was apprehended abroad and surrendered to the court for crimes against humanity and war crimes.