Overview

Security forces, militias and armed groups across Libya carried out arbitrary arrests targeting hundreds of activists, protesters, journalists, women social media users and others. Thousands remained arbitrarily detained solely for their political or tribal affiliation, following grossly unfair trials or without legal basis. Torture and other ill-treatment remained widespread and systematic. “Confessions” extracted under torture were published online. Civil society was stifled amid efforts by rival authorities to control the registration, funding and activities of NGOs. Sporadic clashes between militias and armed groups using explosive wide-area impact weapons led to civilian casualties and destruction of civilian objects. Women, girls and members of religious minorities faced entrenched discrimination. LGBTI individuals were subjected to arbitrary arrests, prosecutions and death threats. Militias and armed groups carried out forced evictions and house demolitions. EU-backed Libyan coastguards in western Libya, and armed groups in eastern Libya, intercepted thousands of refugees and migrants at sea and forcibly returned them to detention in Libya. Detained refugees and migrants were subjected to torture, sexual violence and forced labour. Thousands were forcibly expelled to neighbouring countries without due process or the possibility to claim asylum. Courts handed down death sentences following unfair trials; no executions took place.