The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) acting through Commissioner Hatem Essaiem, the Country Rapporteur for the human rights situation in Libya, expresses its deep concern regarding the events unfolding in Libya.
The Commission is concerned by the ongoing hostilities between the internationally recognised Tripoli-based “Government of National Accord” and General Khalifa Haftar’s “Libyan National Army” despite pleas for a truce, particularly in view of the need to unite in the fight against the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The Commission is deeply disturbed by the attacks on the Al Khadra General Hospital in Tripoli on 6 and 10 April 2020, injuring at least one health worker, at a time when health facilities and health workers are key to responding to COVID-19.
The Commission has received information that since March 2020 at least 27 health facilities have been damaged as a result of the hostilities.
Beyond weakening the country’s capacity to tackle COVID-19, these attacks on health facilities and health workers is a gross violation of international humanitarian and human rights law.
Reports reaching the Commission also indicate that a group in the Shwerif area is deliberately cutting water supply as a weapon of war, to the two (2) million residents of Tripoli and the surrounding towns. The Commission notes that access to water is a fundamental human right and key to the fight against COVID-19.
The Commission categorically condemns the attacks on health facilities and the disruption of water supply to the population.
The Commission strongly urges the Government of National Accord and the Libyan National Army to cease hostilities and direct all resources to the fight against COVID-19 and the welfare of the population.
The Commission further calls on all parties to comply with the rights and duties enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Libya is a party to.
The Commission will remain actively seized of this matter.
