Accessibility links

Breaking News

Amnesty Accuses Libyan Militia Groups Of Committing Abuses


A prisoner at Guwasim prison near Gharyan, 75 kilometers south of Tripoli
A prisoner at Guwasim prison near Gharyan, 75 kilometers south of Tripoli
A year after the start of the uprising in Libya, the human rights watchdog Amnesty International says some of the militia groups who helped topple Muammar Qaddafi are now responsible for some of the country's worst rights abuses.

In a new report based on a recent tour of Libyan detention centers, Amnesty says armed militias are jailing and torturing suspected Qaddafi loyalists and have driven entire communities of African migrants and other minority groups from their homes.

The report quotes detainees as saying they had been tortured with whips, chains, and electric shocks.

At least 12 detainees are believed to have died since September as a result of torture.

Amnesty researchers say Libya's new government, the National Transitional Council, has done nothing to rein in the activity of the militia groups.

With agency reports

About This Blog

"Watchdog" is a blog with a singular mission -- to monitor the latest developments concerning human rights, civil society, and press freedom. We'll pay particular attention to reports concerning countries in RFE/RL's broadcast region.

Subscribe

Latest Posts

Journalists In Trouble

RFE/RL journalists take risks, face threats, and make sacrifices every day in an effort to gather the news. Our "Journalists In Trouble" page recognizes their courage and conviction, and documents the high price that many have paid simply for doing their jobs. More

XS
SM
MD
LG