“The rights to peaceful assembly, protest and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights and fall within Libya’s obligations under international human rights law.” The United Nations Support Mission In Libya (UNSMIL) said.
It called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the excessive use of force by pro-GNA security personnel in Tripoli yesterday which resulted in the injury of a number of protesters.
These demonstrations were motivated by frustrations about sustained poor living conditions, shortages of electricity and water and a lack of service provision throughout the country.
“Given the continuing immiseration of the Libyan people and the ever-present threat of renewed conflict, it is past time for Libyan leaders to put aside their differences and engage in a fully inclusive political dialogue as outlined by GNA President Sarraj and House of Representatives Speaker Saleh in their declarations last week.”
Hundreds of people in Libya held peaceful demonstrations Sunday to protest worsening living conditions and corruption at state institutions.
The demonstrators, who gathered in Martyrs’ Square in the capital Tripoli and the northwestern city of Misrata, also protested electricity and water cuts in the country.
Some of the protestors were injured in shootings as security forces were dispersing the demonstrators, among which some groups damaged vehicles in the area.
Amin al-Hashemi, undersecretary of the Libyan Health Ministry, told Anadolu Agency that the demonstrators gathered for legitimate demands and peaceful protests, but some groups abused the purpose of the gathering.
“The people held peaceful protests for their legitimate demands, but later on, some violence-prone groups attacked civilian and police vehicles and public buildings, committing damaging acts. So the police intervened to disperse these groups,” he said.
Al-Hashemi also underlined that some people were injured from gunfire during the demonstrations and that information about their numbers and identities has not yet been obtained.
In all cities of Libya, especially Tripoli, people are struggling with problems that negatively affect daily life such as power outages of up to 20 hours per day, long fuel lines and the increased cost of living with internal migration.
The Interior Ministry announced that those who opened fire on the demonstrators in Tripoli were not among the police forces and that this action was carried out by outside elements who had infiltrated the security forces, adding an investigation has been launched.
“As a result of a follow-up [probe], the security forces determined the identities of these people who opened fire on the demonstrators. They are not subject to any security forces affiliated with the Interior Ministry, and the ministry has initiated a judicial investigation into the incident. The results will be shared with the public with the attorney general’s approval and after the investigation is completed,” it said in a statement.
The ministry also said that one person was injured as a result of the firing on protestors.
