UN Calls for Urgent Probe After Dozens of Bodies Found at Libyan Detention Sites
Wafricnews - june 8, 2025
Tripoli, Libya - The United Nations has issued an urgent call for an independent investigation following the discovery of dozens of bodies and evidence of gross human rights violations at detention facilities operated by a powerful militia in Tripoli, the Libyan capital.
Tripoli, Libya - The United Nations has issued an urgent call for an independent investigation following the discovery of dozens of bodies and evidence of gross human rights violations at detention facilities operated by a powerful militia in Tripoli, the Libyan capital.
The alarming discoveries were made at sites controlled by the Stabilization Support Apparatus (SSA), a militia coalition formed in 2021 that operates widely in western Libya and has been previously accused of abuse, torture, and extrajudicial killings.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said he was "shocked" by the reports and urged Libyan authorities to seal off the locations, allow full access to investigators, and conduct prompt, impartial, and transparent inquiries into what appears to be a pattern of deeply disturbing abuses.
“Our worst fears are being confirmed,” Türk said in a statement. “These are serious violations that cannot be ignored.”
Mass Graves and Torture Evidence Uncovered
Between May 18 and 21, reports submitted to the UN detailed the recovery of 10 charred bodies from the SSA’s headquarters in Tripoli’s Abu Salim district. Another 67 bodies were found stored in hospital morgues—many already decomposing due to ongoing electricity cuts in the city. Some were discovered in refrigerators at Abu Salim and Al Khadra hospitals.
In a chilling revelation, a burial site was also found inside the Tripoli Zoo, another location reportedly under SSA control. The identities of the victims remain unknown. However, suspected torture instruments and signs of execution-style killings were found at the scenes, raising serious concerns about systemic abuses.
Türk warned that Libyan forensic teams have not yet been allowed access to examine the sites—despite the urgency of identifying the victims and preserving evidence. He called on Libyan authorities to grant unrestricted access to international observers and human rights bodies, including UN teams.
Tensions Rise Following Militia Leader’s Death
The discoveries come shortly after the killing of SSA leader Abdulghani Kikli in May, which triggered violent clashes in Tripoli between militias and state-aligned forces. Protests followed, with civilians demanding an end to the militia violence. Witnesses say the demonstrations were met with excessive force, resulting in deaths, injuries, and damage to public infrastructure, including hospitals.
“The use of force against peaceful protestors raises concerns about the respect for basic freedoms, including freedom of expression and assembly,” Türk noted.
A Fragile State Still Haunted by Conflict
Libya has remained politically unstable since the 2011 overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, with rival factions, militias, and interim governments vying for control. Although a ceasefire was signed in 2020, unity and disarmament remain elusive.
The SSA, originally formed to assist with security operations, has grown into a major power player in western Libya. Its fighters are widely accused of operating outside the law, detaining civilians without due process, and using violence to silence dissent.
Human rights advocates say the recent discoveries are not isolated incidents but rather part of a longstanding pattern of abuse in unofficial detention centers.
International Pressure Mounts
The UN is demanding full accountability and justice for the victims. Türk also condemned the circulation of graphic images and videos from the sites on social media, urging respect for the dignity of the victims and the privacy of their families.
“These revelations are not only a stain on Libya’s human rights record but also a test for the international community’s resolve to ensure justice,” he said.
As Libya continues to grapple with fragmented governance and foreign influence, the call for an independent probe signals rising international concern over the state of rule of law and accountability in a country still scarred by years of war and division.
By Wafricnews Desk.
By Wafricnews Desk.
Comment
To post a comment, you have to login first
LoginNo Comments Yet...