Arbitrary detention and use of torture reach alarming levels in Libya
Despite the Libyan government’s expressed commitment to uphold human rights and end abuses, Human Rights Watch has documented dozens of assassinations of judges, prosecutors, activists, and members of security forces by unidentified assailants with absolute impunity.
Political campaigners in Libya acquitted of charges of insulting Islam
A Tripoli court acquitted Fathi Sager and Ali Tekabli, members of the Libya National Party on 2 March 2014, of charges of insulting Islam.
More than 20 attacks on media and journalists in Libya since start of year
In one of the latest attacks, Al-Assima satellite TV station owner Jumaa Al-Osta’s home in the Tripoli suburb of Gurji was bombed at around 5 a.m. on 20 February, causing major damage, injuring a journalist and even shaking nearby homes.
Free expression in new Libya approached with same draconian Gaddafi-era law
An amendment to the penal code approved on 5 February bodes ill for the drafting of a constitution that respects freedoms and Libya’s international obligations. The new “free” Libya seems further than ever from the principles of freedom that were nonetheless guaranteed in the 2011 Constituent Covenant.
Four journalists abducted in Libya in two seperate incidents
In the first of yesterday’s two incidents, three journalists with state-owned Al-Wataniya TV who are normally based in the southern city of Sabha were kidnapped on Tripoli’s airport road after being sent to the capital. The TV station has received no news of them since their abduction.
Libya’s revolution “will not stop until we have freedom”
After 42 years of political oppression in Libya, it was hoped that the apparatus of Gaddafi’s regime would be dismantled after he was swept from power.
Libya adopts new decree banning TV stations critical of the government
The decree, which was passed on 22 January 2014, censors a wide range of speech, including peaceful political dissent, and its broad and vague wording is open to arbitrary implementation.
Three journalists abducted in Libya; assailants unidentified yet
Libya has recently witnessed a string of attacks by unidentified groups against media professionals, latest of which has been the kidnapping of three reporters working for Fezzan TV in the city of Sabha on 18 January 2014.
Failure of Libyan security forces to protect protesters from militias remains unquestioned
Two deadly clashes between protesters and militias took place in Libya in 2013. Authorities are yet to announce the results of promised investigations into these incidents.
Radio station owner murdered near Tripoli in Libya
The body of Radwan Gharyani, 44, the owner and manager of radio Tripoli FM, was found on 1 December 2013 in the east of Tripoli. He was shot four times.
Lawless Libyan militias open fire on unarmed protesters leaving 43 people dead
Militias from Misrata fired assault rifles, machine guns, and heavy weapons at overwhelmingly peaceful protesters in Tripoli on 15 November, leaving 43 people dead.
Libyan journalists face freer but more perilous environment
Numerous attacks have been reported in Libya in recent weeks and there are few signs that police and prosecutors are investigating the incidents.
Shots repeatedly fired at radio station in latest attack on journalists in Libya
The complete absence of the rule of law and lack of security in Libya is having an impact on the work of journalists.
Libyan lawmakers at risk of defamation charges
Libya’s parliament on September 17, 2013, stripped three members of their immunity, leaving them open to potential criminal charges for allegedly defaming political opponents.
Journalists in Libya attacked by powerful militias
Ahmed Abosnina, the Benghazi-based correspondent of privately-owned Al-Nabaa TV, was attacked on the morning of 17 September 2013 while driving to Benghazi airport in the TV station’s vehicle. Two men stopped him, insulted him and hit him with steel bars.
Libyan newspaper’s headquarters stormed in Tripoli
On 23 August 2013, unidentified assailants stormed the headquarters of the Libya Aljadidah newspaper in Tripoli and seized the office equipment to ban the newspaper from resuming its work and publishing its issue on time.