UN mission warns judicial rifts threaten Libya’s elections

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday concluded the National Reconciliation and Human Rights track of its Structured Dialogue, following five days of meetings that focused on key issues directly affecting the credibility of any future electoral process.

According to a statement issued by the UN mission, participants addressed critical concerns related to judicial independence, human rights, public freedoms, and the shrinking civic space, as well as the issue of arbitrary detention, describing these as essential pillars for restoring trust in Libya’s political process.

Participants expressed grave concern over the impact of the ongoing judicial dispute on the unity and independence of the judicial system, citing recent rulings by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court in Tripoli, alongside earlier judgments issued this month by the Constitutional Court in Benghazi. They warned that these developments undermine the rule of law, erode public confidence, and pose a serious threat to the political process as a whole.

The meetings underscored that a unified and independent judiciary is a fundamental prerequisite for holding credible elections and ensuring that state institutions operate in accordance with the rule of law. Participants called for insulating the judiciary from political interference and polarisation, urging dialogue over escalation, and stressing that safeguarding judicial independence is a shared national responsibility and a cornerstone of state unity, stability, and human rights-based national reconciliation.

The track also examined major challenges, including the fragmentation of state institutions and the unchecked influence of armed groups, and the resulting human rights violations, notably arbitrary arrest and detention. Discussions further addressed the protection of civil society and journalists, and the need to guarantee freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and freedom of association.

Participants highlighted a severe shortage of civilian-oversight law enforcement institutions, noting that legislative gaps and the failure to enforce judicial rulings have contributed to entrenched impunity.

The meetings concluded with a set of preliminary recommendations, described as “essential” for Libya’s stability and for creating an environment conducive to transparent elections. These include safeguarding civic space, advancing legislative reform, ending arbitrary detention, and strengthening accountability and transparency.

Despite broad agreement on the necessity of these steps, participants voiced doubts over their feasibility under current conditions, stressing that effective implementation would require a unified government and a credible monitoring and follow-up mechanism.

The reconciliation and human rights track is scheduled to resume its meetings from 8 to 12 February, as part of ongoing efforts under the Structured Dialogue, coordinated with the governance, security, and economic tracks.