UN Urges Investigation Into Alleged Torture at Gernada Prison in Libya

Human Rights

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has expressed concern over disturbing footage circulating on social media, which reportedly depicts the torture of detainees at Gernada prison in eastern Libya. The prison, located approximately 250 kilometers from Benghazi, is operated by military personnel loyal to Khalifa Haftar, leader of the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA). It is known to house individuals critical of Haftar’s administration, further raising suspicions about the treatment of prisoners.

While the authenticity of the footage remains unverified, the UN has highlighted its disturbing resemblance to established patterns of human rights violations in Libyan detention facilities. These patterns have been documented by rights groups that have long reported instances of widespread torture and abuse within Libya’s prison system.

UNSMIL has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the alleged incidents of torture, stressing the urgency of holding those responsible accountable. The UN’s call reflects ongoing concerns about the broader human rights situation in Libya, where both sides of the conflict have faced criticism for their treatment of detainees.

Libya’s detention centers have been the subject of frequent scrutiny, with numerous reports detailing the use of torture, arbitrary detention, and mistreatment of prisoners, particularly those held for political reasons. The UN and various human rights organizations continue to call for reforms to ensure detainees’ rights are protected and to end the cycle of impunity in the country’s security institutions.

By Édouard Hue (User:EdouardHue) – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,

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