Sunday, September 27, 2026

Speaking of trying civilians in military courts . . .

. . .  Consider this report about secret military trials and executions in eastern Libya. Excerpt:

Amnesty said military courts in eastern Libya had repeatedly violated defendants' rights to a fair trial, including access to lawyers, sufficient time to prepare a defence, the right to remain silent and the right to a public hearing before an independent and impartial court.

The organisation added that military prosecutors and judges in the east are not independent because they are affiliated with the LAAF or allied armed groups.

In 2017, Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives passed a law giving military courts jurisdiction over civilians accused of terrorism and crimes committed in “military areas”. The law was later declared unconstitutional by Libya’s Constitutional Chamber. 

Executions have resumed as UN-led efforts to unify Libya’s rival institutions and prepare the country for national elections continue.

Amnesty said the eastern authorities should halt all executions and conduct independent and impartial investigations into allegations of torture and other ill-treatment.

The executions come as the country remains split between rival administrations, with the internationally recognised Government of National Unity controlling the west and an administration allied with Haftar’s forces controlling the east and much of the south.

The country's courts have been engaging in a prolonged tug of war, as this report indicates. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Comments are subject to moderation and must be submitted under your real name. Anonymous comments will not be posted (even though the form seems to permit them).