TRIPOLI (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A mission appointed by the UN to Libya reported on Monday that there are probable mass graves—possibly about 100—that have not yet been examined in a town where hundreds of dead bodies have previously been discovered. The team urged Tripoli to keep looking.
The UN Human Rights Council will receive the report this week that describes how a militia led by seven brothers imprisoned and executed hundreds of people between the years 2016 and 2020, occasionally holding them in cramped oven-like structures known as “the boxes” that were set on fire during interrogations.
In the chaotic years following the overthrow of long-reigning Muammar Qaddafi in 2011, the independent Fact-Finding Mission’s evidence of kidnappings, murders, and torture in Tarhouna stands out as one of the most horrific instances of human rights abuses.
The 51-page report noted that the victims included women, children, and people with disabilities.
The team discovered “reasonable grounds” that the Kaniyat militia committed crimes against humanity based on the testimonials of locals and two site visits. It named the four commanders who took an active part in them.
In the Tarhouna region of western Libya, authorities from Libya have already discovered 247 remains in individual and mass grave sites. Many people were still blindfolded and handcuffed.
The mission identified three new potential sites using satellite images that revealed hints of soil disturbances among other indicators. However, it warned that there might be many more, citing a burial known as “The Landfill” where only a small portion of the site had been investigated.
The report stated that there could still be about 100 mass graves that have not yet been found.
It’s unclear at this time how the conclusions will affect Libyan authorities. Requests for comment from Libya’s diplomatic office in Geneva went unanswered.
The Kaniyat first sided with the Government of National Accord, which had its headquarters in Tripoli, but then switched to the eastern Libyan National Army, under the direction of commander Khalifa Haftar, who made unsuccessful attempts to topple the National Accord government. In Tarhouna, the militia no longer has any power. Most of the Kaniyat leaders who are still alive are thought to have escaped to Haftar-controlled regions in eastern Libya.
The FFM urges Libyan authorities to keep looking for the graves in its conclusions. Additionally, it exhorts them to set up a special tribunal to try foreign crimes.
The report does, however, mention prior issues with cooperation. Reuters was informed by diplomats and UN officials that Libya had previously voiced concerns about extending the mission, which is to expire this month.
The Geneva-based council is currently considering a resolution to extend the investigation period by nine months, which is shorter than some had hoped. Decision is to be announced this week.
Image via Reuters
