Rights advocate calls for protecting inmates in western Libya jails

Amira al-Sharif

A human rights advocate is ringing the alarm over the conditions of the prisons in western Libya, especially with the outbreak of the coronavirus in these prisons.

Seraj al-Tawerghi said international human rights organizations are aware of the tough conditions of the prisons in western Libya.

“Nonetheless, none of these organizations is putting pressure on those ruling this part of Libya to rescue the lives of people in these prisons,” al-Tawerghi said.

Some of the prisons in western Libya are controlled by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). Others are controlled by the militias backed by the GNA.

Al-Tawerghi said international organizations expressed concern over the conditions of the prisons previously.

“This was especially true with the coronavirus spreading and the lives of the prisoners being at risk,” he said.

He called on the international community to take firm action to save the lives of the prisoners in GNA prisons and the prisons controlled by the militias backed by the GNA.

Al-Tawerghi said these prisoners face an uncertain future because of the conditions of the prisons and the coronavirus outbreak.

“Nobody cares about the lives of the prisoners,” al-Tawerghi said.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Committee in Libya called on the GNA Interior Ministry to disinfect detention centers and refugee camps in western Libya.

As a measure, the committee said, this is very important to protect the prisoners and the refugees against the coronavirus.

The committee called also on the ministry to make infection prevention requirements, such as facemasks, sanitizer and gloves, available for the prisoners and the refugees.

“We are demanding this for fear of the coronavirus,” the committee said.