The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed alarm on Tuesday regarding disturbing footage that demonstrates Libya’s serious human rights violations in the Garnada detention facility. These violations include torture and ill-treatment of detainees.

The concerned footage has been circulating on social media, showing prisoners enduring extreme forms of violence in what is believed to be an official detention centre. The UNSMIL has strongly condemned these actions in their statement, calling for immediate investigation and accountability.

The situation raises serious concerns about Libya’s adherence to international human rights standards and its domestic legal framework. Torture is categorically prohibited under international law, specifically under the Convention Against Torture (CAT), to which Libya is a signatory, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Libya’s failure to investigate and address such allegations of torture undermines its standing in the international community and calls into question the effectiveness of its domestic legal structures in providing justice for victims of human rights abuses.

The legal implications of this incident are substantial. After the NATO-backed revolt that overthrew former ruler Muammar Qaddafi’s dictatorship in 2011, Libya has descended into rebellion and disorder. Therefore, if the allegations are proven true, Libya could face significant international repercussions, including the possibility of sanctions or other punitive actions. The International Criminal Court (ICC) could potentially become involved if the actions are deemed to constitute crimes against humanity.

The broader implications of the law in this context highlight the ongoing challenge of ensuring compliance with human rights protections in post-conflict states and regions where legal structures are fragile. In a recent report, Amnesty International documented the international crimes committed by the al-Kaniat armed group in the Libyan city of Tarhouna. These crimes include mass unlawful killing, torture, enforced disappearances and forced displacement, all of which are prohibited by international human rights law and humanitarian law.