Transitional Justice in Libya after the Revolution of February 17, 2011

The severe human rights violations are experienced by Libyans under the Gaddafi regime for over four decades, and the grave violations they suffered during and after the February 17, 2011 revolution, have highlighted the critical importance of transitional justice in the democratic transformation and the establishment of the rule of law. There are massive number of violations related to both the pre-revolution and post-revolution periods, including arbitrary arrests, torture, abductions, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, as well as, extrajudicial killings by the conflicting parties. Therefore, it was essential for the state to adopt a genuine transitional justice project aimed at addressing these violations and ensuring that they do not recur in the future. However, the path of transitional justice in Libya has faced numerous challenges that have hindered its full implementation, despite the issuance of many legislations and laws aimed at establishing transitional justice and national reconciliation, significantly impacted by the political and military division the country is experiencing.