UN: Libya seeing increased human rights violations

(Vatican Radio) The Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, the OHCHR, has published a report on Libya it will present to the UN Human Rights Council in March.

Listen to the report by correspondent Peter Kenny:

It paints a bleak picture of increased turmoil, lawlessness and political chaos in Libya during 2014. The deteriorating security environment has impacted heavily on the justice system. Prosecutors and judges have frequently faced intimidation and attacks, in the form of court bombings, physical assaults, abductions and unlawful killings.

“Rampant violence and fighting, including in the country’s two biggest cities, Tripoli and Benghazi, as well as many other cities and towns across the country, is badly affecting civilians in general and a number of specific groups in particular,” said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN Human Rights Office

“During 2014, civilians were victims of indiscriminate artillery and air attacks. Unlawful killings and summary executions, including targeted assassinations, were commonplace. Footage appearing to show a number of beheadings in Benghazi and Derna emerged in November,” he continued.

Colville said this has impacted a broad cross-section of society. Children have suffered been unable to go to school. Some schoolchildren are killed or maimed at home or during attacks on schools and hospitals.

The report, also describes numerous incidents of violence against women. It includes reports of threats, attacks and killings of female human rights defenders, politicians and other women in public positions.

Minority groups, including Egyptian Coptic Christians, have also been increasingly targeted.