INTRODUCTION

Throughout July, Libya witnessed a persistent and alarming pattern of grave human rights violations and international crimes committed against civilians, including migrants. These incidents were perpetrated by security agencies and armed groups, and included extrajudicial killings, abductions, enforced disappearances, and disruptions to the electoral process. These developments occurred amidst a continued absence of meaningful accountability measures and a persistent failure by the authorities to fulfil their obligations to safeguard human rights and prevent impunity.

Libya Crimes Watch (LCW)’s field team documented the death of one (1) activist while in custody in Tripoli, following his arbitrary arrest in Sorman. In addition, two (2) activists were reportedly abducted in Tripoli. The team also recorded an armed assault and death threats targeting a candidate for municipal elections in Al-Aziziyah, Tripoli.

Further, systematic and wide-ranging interference with the electoral process was documented by LCW’s field team. This included the unlawful closure of voter card distribution centres in the Janzour municipality (Tripoli), as well as armed attacks on similar centres in at least ten (10) municipalities across eastern and southern Libya. These incidents led to the suspension of the electoral process in those areas.

The field team also reported the discovery of thirty-one (31) bodies believed to be migrants, among them six Egyptian nationals, found along the coastlines of Tobruk, Misrata, Sabratha, and Tripoli. These recoveries followed several separate incidents involving the capsizing of boats carrying migrants en route to Europe. These findings point to the worsening conditions faced by migrants in Libya and the continuing inability of the authorities to implement adequate protective measures.

LCW holds the following entities legally responsible for the violations documented during July, including killings and abductions: the Internal Security Agency (ISA) in western Libya, the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), the Office of the Libyan Attorney General, and the government of National Unity (GNU), the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the 55th Infantry Brigade under its Ministry of Defence. These entities are accountable for either perpetrating these violations, facilitating their occurrence, or failing to prevent them and prosecute those responsible.

LCW affirms that the violations documented in this report may not fully capture the extent of all violations committed during the reporting period. They represent only those that the Field Monitoring and Documentation Team was able to document. The publication is restricted to violations whose disclosure does not pose a risk to the victims, survivors, or their families.

DETAILS

July 1

On July 1, LCW documented the unlawful closure of voter card distribution centres in the Janzour municipality of Tripoli, reportedly ordered by Musaddaq Shaaban, the head of the Janzour Steering Council, in coordination with Ashour Mohamed Abdeljaleel, the local education supervisor. This action disrupted the distribution of voter cards and led to the suspension of the electoral process in the municipality. The closure came in the context of a deliberate attempt by the council head to obstruct the electoral process and retain authority over the municipal council.

July 4

On 4 July, LCW documented the death of activist Abdel Moneim Rajab Al-Marimi (51 years old) at Al-Khalil Hospital in Tripoli, due to severe injuries sustained from a fall from the third floor of the Public Prosecution office building in Tripoli, according to claims by the Office of the Libyan Attorney General.

Mr. Al-Marimi had been referred to the prosecution the previous day after being arbitrarily arrested on 30 June in the city of Sorman. His vehicle was intercepted by four civilian cars carrying individuals wearing civilian attire affiliated with the ISA’s Sorman branch, who then transferred him to the ISA’s Sorman branch.

July 6

Between 28 June and 6 July, LCW documented a series of armed attacks carried out by individuals affiliated with the LAAF. These attacks targeted voter card distribution centres for municipal council elections in at least ten (10) municipalities across eastern and southern Libya, including Sirte, Wadi Zamzam, Sebha, Benghazi, Tobruk, Sulug, Al-Abyar, Qaminis, Tokra, and Qasr Al-Jadi. These assaults disrupted the distribution of voter cards and appeared to form part of a broader, systematic effort to undermine the electoral process.

Additionally, between 5 and 6 July, LCW recorded the recovery of five (5) unidentified bodies, believed to be migrants, on the shoreline near Zreig fishing port in Misrata. The bodies were retrieved by the Libyan Red Crescent, Misrata branch and transferred to the hospital for legal procedures.

July 7

On 7 July, LCW documented the abduction of two (2) activists, Ayman Zamit and Mohamed Aoun, affiliated with the “Intifada Shaab ” movement, in Tripoli. They were taken by unidentified armed individuals in a civilian vehicle due to their participation in demonstrations calling for the resignation of authorities in both eastern and western Libya, including the GNU. They were taken to an undisclosed location and later released on 9 July, following two days of detention and threats aimed at deterring their activism against the authorities.

July 9

Between 8 and 9 July, LCW monitored the discovery of three (3) bodies along the shoreline in the centre of the city of Tobruk. One was identified as an Egyptian migrant, named Mostafa Mohamed Mostafa Al-Bayeh, while the other two remain unidentified but are believed to be migrants. The bodies were recovered by the Libyan Red Crescent, Tobruk branch and transferred to the Tobruk Medical Centre for legal procedures.

July 19

LCW monitored the discovery of one (1) unidentified body, believed to be that of a migrant, on the shore in the Al-Wadi area of Sabratha, on 19 July. The body was recovered by the Libyan Red Crescent, Sabratha branch, in coordination with the local police, and transferred to Sabratha Teaching Hospital to complete legal procedures.

July 21

On 21 July, LCW documented an armed attack targeting a candidate for the municipal council elections in Al-Aziziyah, south of Tripoli, by unidentified armed men. His vehicle was fired upon, causing damage. Notably, the same individual had reportedly received threats in February aimed at pressuring him to withdraw, allegedly from individuals linked to the current head of the municipal council, a known supporter of the 55th Infantry Brigade affiliated with the Ministry of Defence GNU.

July 24

On 24 July, LCW recorded the discovery of one (1) unidentified body, believed to be a migrant, on the beach in the Tajoura area of Tripoli. The body was retrieved by the Libyan Red Crescent, Tripoli branch and handed over to the Emergency and Ambulance Service under the GNU for necessary legal procedures.

July 25

Between 24 and 25 July, LCW monitored the discovery of eighteen (18) bodies of migrants, six of whom were Egyptians, along the shores of Wadi Tobeireq and Al-Aqilah in Tobruk. The incident followed the sinking of a boat carrying eighty-one (81) migrants en route to Europe. Ten (10) survivors were rescued, while fifty-three (53) others remain missing. The bodies were recovered by the General Directorate of Coastal Security, Tobruk branch and transferred to Tobruk Medical Centre for legal procedures.

July 30

On 30 July, LCW monitored the discovery of three (3) unidentified bodies believed to be migrants, found along the shoreline in the Zreig area of Misrata. The bodies were retrieved by the Libyan Red Crescent, Misrata branch and transferred to the hospital to complete the legal process.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Libya Crimes Watch (LCW) calls on the Libyan Attorney General to launch an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into all reported incidents of electoral obstruction and attacks on voter card distribution centres. All those responsible must be held accountable to ensure such violations are not repeated. LCW further urges authorities in both eastern and western Libya to refrain from interfering in the work of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), to respect its institutional independence, and to ensure the safety and security of its staff and premises against any threats or undue influence.

• LCW calls on authorities across Libya to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in international human rights law, including the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly. LCW further urges an immediate end to arbitrary detention and the targeted repression of civilians, particularly human rights defenders, activists, and peaceful dissidents, as these violations represent serious breaches of basic rights, entrench a climate of fear and impunity, and undermine efforts to advance justice and the rule of law.

• LCW calls on the Libyan Attorney General to open independent and transparent investigations into all serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, abductions, and torture in both official and unofficial detention facilities. Those found responsible must be held accountable in accordance with international fair trial standards.

• LCW reiterates its call on Libyan authorities to fulfil their responsibilities in protecting the lives of migrants along desert and maritime migration routes. This includes cooperating with relevant international organisations to establish effective mechanisms for search and rescue, tracing missing persons, and ensuring the identification of remains. LCW also urges an independent and transparent investigation into shipwreck incidents and violations linked to human trafficking, with full accountability for those involved in line with international standards.

• LCW appeals to the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to reconsider its decision to terminate investigations in Libya by the end of 2025, as such a move risks further entrenching impunity. This concern is heightened by the current lack of political will, institutional capacity, and effectiveness of national judicial mechanisms, which remain unable to meet their obligations under the principle of complementarity enshrined in the Rome Statute.

• Finally, LCW calls on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and international actors to intensify pressure on all parties to respect human rights, support genuine transitional justice efforts, uncover the truth, provide redress to victims, and bring an end to the prevailing state of impunity that continues to fuel ongoing violations.