Justice Denied: Torture and Arbitrary Detention in Libya

This article examines the widespread human rights violations occurring in Libya's detention centers amid the country’s ongoing civil war. After Gaddafi's fall, Libya fell into a power vacuum, leading to fragmented governance and the emergence of armed militias. Both competing governments in the east and west have suppressed dissent, detaining thousands of Libyans — including women, children, and civil society activists — without proper legal proceedings. Using reports from the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, the article reveals instances of torture, sexual violence, and enforced disappearances in prisons run by militias and state-affiliated groups. It also details the harsh treatment of detainees and the international reaction to leaked evidence of abuse. The piece highlights the impunity granted to perpetrators and the ongoing suppression of activists, especially women, who face targeting for their leadership roles. The article calls for accountability and legal reforms to stop arbitrary detention and to bring justice to victims.