Libya: Civilian Dies as a Result of Torture by General Haftar's Militias in Benghazi
On 10 April 2015, Alkarama sent a communication to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (SR SUMX) concerning the death under torture of Rami Rajab Abdelatti Al Fitouri on 21 March 2015.
Al Fitouri is a 29-year-old student with no record of fighting in any revolutionary group in Benghazi. On 11 March 2015, he was arrested by General Haftar's militias at his parent's house located in the Qariouns neighbourhood of Benghazi. Given the unstable situation in the country's second largest city, his family repeatedly tried to contact people belonging to General Haftar's forces in order to learn about their son's place of detention, but to no avail. Al Fitouri was found dead on 21 March 2015.
The following day, his body, which showed clear signs of physical abuse, was taken to Benghazi's hospital to undergo an autopsy. According to the forensic medicine's report dated 22 March 2015, Al Fitouri's death was due to severe beatings which led to oedemas and a traumatic brain injury.
A few months ago, in September 2014, Alkarama referred similar cases of three Libyans who were subjected to torture and finally died as a result of it. We notice that serious human rights abuses committed against opponents and civilians have been identified in Libya, and this, especially since the launch of the military "Operation Dignity" by General Khalifa Haftar in May 2014. Alkarama is concerned that, with General Haftar now Commander of the internationally recognised Tobruk Government's forces, more cases of torture will follow.
In light of the information provided, Alkarama called upon the Special Rapporteur to urge Libya to "proceed to a prompt and impartial investigation" into Al Fitouri's case, as required by Article 12 of the Convention against Torture (CAT), "wherever there is reasonable ground to believe that an act of torture has been committed in any territory under its jurisdiction." As a State party to the CAT since May 1989, Libya must also prosecute those responsible of the acts of torture that led to Al Fitouri's death in line with international fair trial standards.
Alkarama also asked the SR SUMX to remind the Libyan authorities of their obligations to respect and guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms in all circumstances, and to put an end to the increasing breaches including unlawful arrests, detentions, torture and execution by all parties involved in the hostilities.
For more information or an interview, please contact the media team at media@alkarama.org (Dir: +41 22 734 1007 Ext: 810)