HRC45 - NB8 statement - Fact-Finding Mission on Libya

Interactive Dialogue with Fact-Finding Mission on Libya

5 October

Statement by Finland on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries

Madam President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Finland.

We express our support to the UN fact-finding mission on Libya established in June 2020 by the UN Human Rights Council (resolution for a period of one year, to investigate violations and abuses of human rights throughout Libya by all parties since the beginning of 2016).

We are deeply concerned by the findings of the UN Mission in Libya UNSMIL who has registered an increase in reports of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and detention, restrictions on freedom of expression, as well as on the right of peaceful assembly and protest in Libya. These rights fall within Libya’s obligations under international human rights law. We call on the Libyan authorities to investigate all allegations of excessive use of force as well as all violations of human rights.

Furthermore, we welcome the opening of investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity following the discovery of multiple mass graves in Tarhuna.  The perpetrators have to be held accountable for their acts.

We call on all parties to the conflict to allow the FFM and the ICC an unhindered access to fulfil their missions. Reprisals against civil society cooperating with international mechanisms must come to end.

An inclusive, Libyan owned and Libyan led political process is the only sustainable way forward in Libya. It is of utmost importance to seize foreign interference in the conflict, put an end to the UN arms embargo violations and support the Libyan people in finding a peaceful way out of the conflict.

Thank you.