UN probe launched into death of 20 detainees in Libya

Libya is being investigated by the UN for the potentially more than 20 detainees dying in Libyan jails, with inmates described to be suffering in appalling conditions according to a report from Deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif, as reported in Maghrebi Week, October 13.

According to her report, more than 20 detainees have died between March 2024 and September 2025 with prisoners suffering arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings among other human rights abuses, with many believing those who died in custody were political opponents.

Al-Nashif also went to great lengths to praise both the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli, and the Government of National Stability(GNS) in Benghazi for working together in some areas, and expressed a deep hope that despite the troubling situation, Libya can take the right step towards guaranteeing human rights.