UN mission in Libya concerned about killing, injuring and detaining protesters in Al-Marj

UNSMIL expressed Sunday grave concern regarding reports that one civilian was killed, three were injured, and a number of other demonstrators were arrested on September 12 following the reported excessive use of force by eastern authorities loyal to Khalifa Haftar against peaceful demonstrators in the city of Al-Marj. 

In a statement, UNSMIL called for a thorough and immediate investigation into these incidents and for the speedy release of all those arbitrarily arrested and detained.

“UNSMIL reminds all parties in Libya that the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights and fall within Libya’s obligations under international human rights law.” The statement reads.

UNSMIL also indicated that these demonstrations, and those witnessed of late in other parts of Libya, are motivated by deep-seated frustrations about sustained poor living conditions, shortages of electricity and water, rampant corruption, misgovernance, and a lack of service provision throughout the country.

It remarked that all those demonstrations underscore the urgent need to lift the oil blockade and return to a full and inclusive political process that will meet the aspirations of the Libyan people for representative government, dignity, and peace.