August 30 marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, a day on which we remember the tragedy of hundreds of victims who have disappeared forcibly in Libya over the past years.
Enforced disappearance has become a worrying and widespread phenomenon in Libya. According to the records of Libya Crimes Watch (LCW), the number of kidnapping and enforced disappearance cases in Libya has reached 251 cases since the beginning of 2020 to July 2023. LCW is currently following up on 11 cases of enforced disappearance.
On the occasion of this day, LCW renews its call on all parties in Libya to stop the practice of enforced disappearance, reveal the fate of the disappeared, and release them. We also demand that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes be held accountable and that impunity be ensured.
Enforced disappearance is a serious crime that violates basic human rights, including the right to life, the right to liberty, and the right to physical integrity. It is also a form of psychological torture that leaves a deep mark on the families of the disappeared.
We call on the Libyan authorities to take immediate action to eliminate this heinous practice. We also call on the international community to increase pressure on the Libyan authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are held accountable.
