The Libyan Judicial Association condemned UNSMIL for its silence on the arrest and assault of Judge Ali Al-Sharif and lawyer Munir Abeid. They called for fair treatment in human rights cases and adherence to UNSMIL’s founding principles, warning of the suspension of cooperation if it continues to deviate from legal support.
On Sunday, the Libyan Association of Members of Judicial Bodies expressed disapproval over what it termed the “silence and negligence” of the Rule of Law Section of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) regarding the recent arrest and assault of Judge Ali Al-Sharif and lawyer Munir Abeid. The association urged the UN mission to ensure equitable treatment of human rights cases and avoid selective responses in its communications.
Furthermore, the association emphasized the importance of UNSMIL’s human rights section adhering to its foundational principles as outlined in its founding resolution, urging it not to deviate from these guidelines. It was underscored that the mission’s Rule of Law Section is responsible for reinforcing human rights and maintaining the integrity and dignity of the judiciary while maintaining a non-intrusive approach to internal judicial matters.
The association also issued a warning, stating it would suspend cooperation with UNSMIL and its human rights section if there were ongoing failures to uphold human rights or the rule of law. Last Tuesday, it reported that Judge Ali Al-Sharif was assaulted by a security agency at his residence in the Souq Al-Juma area of Tripoli, leading to his temporary detention; he was subsequently released through the intervention of Attorney General Al-Siddiq Al-Sour.
In a related incident reported on Saturday, the Libya Crimes Watch organization confirmed that lawyer Munir Abeid had been arrested in Benghazi by armed personnel associated with the Internal Security Agency. It was noted that he was taken to an unofficial detention center located within the agency’s headquarters in the Sidi Hussein district, reportedly without any legal procedures being followed.
The Libyan Association of Members of Judicial Bodies has publicly denounced the inaction of UNSMIL concerning recent violations against judiciary members. By calling for non-selective responses and adherence to human rights standards, the association highlights the necessary involvement of international bodies in judicial integrity. The reported arrests and assaults underscore ongoing concerns related to legal impunity in Libya.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
