Press Release by Human Rights Solidarity Organization on International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
30 August 2026
Human Rights Solidarity Organization (LHRS) marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances with deep concern over the continued rise of enforced disappearance in Libya and the persistent suffering of victims’ families. Despite repeated calls for accountability, enforced disappearance remains a widespread and ongoing violation committed by State and non‑State actors.
In its 2026 report, LHRS highlights the lack of cooperation by Libyan authorities with the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), which reported 60 outstanding cases in Libya and additional cases transmitted to the Libyan National Army (LNA). The General Authority for Search and Identification of Missing Persons identified 333 victims of Storm Daniel but recorded no progress in identifying victims of mass graves in Tarhouna.
LHRS expresses particular concern over the continued impunity surrounding the war crimes committed in Tarhouna by the al‑Kani militias, where 66 individuals remain missing. The organization calls for the immediate enforcement of arrest warrants, the prevention of integrating militia members into State institutions, and full support for the Authority’s work.
LHRS urges the Libyan authorities to end enforced disappearance, sign and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and guarantee families’ right to truth and justice. The organization reaffirms that enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity and must be addressed with urgency and political will.
| Ref: PRS 2026/08/1072 | August 30, 2026 |
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
“No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification for enforced disappearance.” — International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, observed annually on 30 August, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010. Human Rights Solidarity (LHRS) has commemorated this day every year since 2016, reaffirming its commitment to truth, justice, and accountability for victims of enforced disappearance in Libya.
This year’s commemoration comes as families continue to endure profound uncertainty, alternating between hope and despair. Hope for truth and justice, and despair caused by the prolonged absence of loved ones, the lack of information, and the persistent failure of authorities to address these crimes. Enforced disappearance remains a grave and ongoing violation in Libya, exacerbated by weak institutions, political fragmentation, and widespread impunity.
I. International Context – 2026
The year 2026 marks the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, commemorated under the global theme: “Victims First. Action Now.”
Despite two decades of international advocacy, enforced disappearances continue to occur daily across all regions of the world. The United Nations emphasized that impunity remains widespread, investigative mechanisms are often ineffective, and victims and their families face significant obstacles in accessing truth, justice, and reparation.
The UN reiterated that enforced disappearance:
- Constitutes a crime against humanity when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack on civilians.
- Is not subject to any statute of limitations.
- Violates a wide range of fundamental rights, including the right to life, liberty, security, identity, recognition before the law, and protection from torture.
- Imposes severe psychological, social, and economic burdens on families and communities.
The UN called on all States to place victims at the center of all efforts, ensure effective investigations, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and guarantee the right to truth.
II. Libya in the Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
Libya’s Statistics
According to the report by Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council, Libya began the reporting period (3 May 2025 – 8 May 2026) with 58 outstanding cases of enforced disappearance. During the period, the Working Group transmitted two standard cases to the Government of Libya and no urgent cases. Libya ended the reporting period with 60 outstanding cases, and the Government did not clarify any cases under the six‑month rule. These figures reflect the continued lack of cooperation between Libyan authorities and the Working Group.
Cases Transmitted to Non‑State Actors
The Working Group transmitted ten cases to Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army”” (LNA), a non‑state actor exercising government‑like authority over parts of eastern and southern Libya. Since updating its working methods in 2019, the WGEID has transmitted 24 cases to the LNA, acknowledging its de facto control and responsibility over areas where enforced disappearances have been reported.
The Working Group’s Remarks
The Working Group expressed deep concern over Libya’s persistent failure to cooperate with UN mechanisms, noting that the lack of responses to communications and case clarifications constitutes a breach of the State’s obligation to engage in good faith with international human‑rights procedures. The WGEID highlighted ongoing patterns of enforced disappearance linked to arbitrary detention, conflict‑related operations, and activities of security agencies and armed groups. It stressed that impunity remains entrenched, investigations are rare or ineffective, and families face significant obstacles in accessing information or pursuing legal remedies. The Working Group warned that the absence of accountability encourages further violations and prolongs the suffering of victims and their families.
III. The General Authority for Search and Identification of Missing Persons (the Authority)
Victims of Mass Graves in Tarhouna and Tajoura (Bir al-Usta Milad)
Between 30 August 2025 and 6 August 2026, the Authority reported no new developments regarding the mass graves discovered in Tajoura (Bir al-Usta Milad). However, it announced the exhumation of four unidentified bodies from a mass grave in Tarhouna on 4 June 2026. No new identifications of victims from Tarhouna were recorded during this period, reflecting the slow pace of fieldwork and the difficulty of accessing suspected burial sites.
Victims of Derna Floods “Storm Daniel” (2023)
From September 2025 to August 2026, the Authority identified 333 victims of Storm Daniel through DNA matching. The identified victims included Libyans and several non‑Libyan nationals, including Syrians, Egyptians, Jordanians, Palestinians, and Algerians. This represents one of the largest forensic identification efforts undertaken by the Authority.
Challenges Facing the Authority
The Authority faces significant challenges, including shortages of technical equipment, insufficient financial resources, and delays caused by natural disasters and competing emergencies. Additionally, many families have not provided DNA samples, hindering the identification process and delaying closure for affected communities.
IV. Victims of War Crimes in Tarhouna
Number of Missing Persons
According to the Association of Tarhouna Victims, 66 individuals remain missing as a result of the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the al‑Kani militias, aligned with General Haftar’s forces, during 2019–2020. More than six years after the crimes, families continue to wait for truth and justice.
Recently Discovered Mass Grave
On 4 June 2026, the Authority discovered a new mass grave in the “5 Kilometer Project” area of Tarhouna and exhumed four unidentified bodies. Field teams continue excavation and surveying work in search of additional burial sites.
Impunity
The Association of Tarhouna Victims expressed its dismay at the lack of enforcement of arrest warrants and the continued absence of accountability for perpetrators. It condemned the practice of allowing fugitives from the al‑Kani militia to join or work within military and security formations, describing it as a grave insult to victims and a form of complicity that obstructs justice and undermines public trust.
Protest Letter to Members of Parliament
The Association sent a formal protest letter to the three Members of the Libyan House of Representatives elected to represent Tarhouna, criticizing their failure to support efforts to hold perpetrators accountable or to advocate for the rights of victims’ families. The letter emphasized that these representatives remained silent during and after the crimes, and that their continued inaction constitutes a dereliction of their moral and national responsibilities.
V. National and International Legal Framework
International Law
Enforced disappearance is recognized under international law as one of the gravest human‑rights violations. When committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack on civilians, it constitutes a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The crime violates numerous fundamental rights, including the right to life, liberty, security, identity, recognition before the law, and protection from torture. The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance affirms that enforced disappearance is not subject to any statute of limitations, and that families have an inalienable right to know the truth regarding the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones. States are obligated to investigate, prosecute, and punish perpetrators, provide reparations to victims, and adopt measures to prevent recurrence.
Libyan Law
Libyan legislation criminalizes enforced disappearance under Law No. (10) of 2013 on the criminalization of torture, enforced disappearance, and discrimination. The law imposes penalties on perpetrators and obligates authorities to ensure that all persons deprived of liberty are held in officially recognized facilities, allowed contact with their families, and brought promptly before judicial authorities. However, weak enforcement, the presence of armed groups operating outside State control, and the absence of effective oversight mechanisms severely undermine the law’s protective capacity and contribute to the persistence of enforced disappearance in Libya.
VI. Demands of Human Rights Solidarity – 2026
Human Rights Solidarity renews its calls to the Libyan authorities to take urgent and concrete measures to end enforced disappearance, uphold international and national legal obligations, and ensure truth, justice, and reparation for all victims.
LHRS Calls on the Authorities to:
- End enforced disappearance immediately, ensure that all detainees are held in recognized facilities, and close all unofficial detention sites.
- Enforce arrest warrants issued against individuals responsible for the crimes committed in Tarhouna and prevent the integration of al‑Kani militia members into State military or security institutions.
- Support the General Authority for Search and Identification of Missing Persons by providing adequate financial and technical resources, facilitating access to suspected burial sites, and ensuring cooperation from security agencies.
- Sign and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, strengthening Libya’s legal framework and commitment to human‑rights standards.
- Invite the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to visit Libya and ensure full cooperation with UN mechanisms.
- Guarantee families’ right to truth, encourage them to register cases and provide DNA samples, and offer psychological and social support.
Conclusion
Human Rights Solidarity affirms that enforced disappearance remains an ongoing and deeply harmful crime in Libya. The absence of political will, weak institutions, and entrenched impunity continue to prolong the suffering of victims and their families. LHRS reiterates its call for full respect of international humanitarian and human‑rights law, protection of civilians, disclosure of the fate of all missing persons, and accountability for all perpetrators without exception. The organization stresses that building institutions capable of safeguarding rights and preventing future violations is essential for justice and stability in Libya.
Human Rights Solidarity Organization
Tripoli, Libya
August 30, 2026
References
- United Nations General Assembly, International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, 20 December 2006.
- United Nations, International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, 30 August.
- UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), Report to the Human Rights Council, 63rd Session, A/HRC/63/28, 22 July 2026.
- UN Joint Statement: Victims First. Action Now, International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, 30 August 2026.
- UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons & WGEID, Joint Statement on Trafficking and Enforced Disappearance, 30 July 2026.
- UN Special Rapporteur on Truth, Justice, Reparation, Statement for the International Day for the Right to the Truth, 23 March 2026.
- The General Authority for Search and Identification of Missing Persons (Libya), Official Updates on Identification of Victims of Storm Daniel, 2025–2026.
- The General Authority for Search and Identification of Missing Persons (Libya), Field Reports on Mass Graves in Tarhouna, 2026.
- Tarhouna Victims Association, Public Statements and Updates on Missing Persons, 2025–2026.
- Human Rights Solidarity (LHRS), International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances – Annual Reports, 2016–2025.
- Law No. (10) of 2013 on the Criminalization of Torture, Enforced Disappearance, and Discrimination (Libya).
- Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, 1998.
Record of Enforced Disappearances documented by LHRS
(2016–2025)
2016–2020
Hundreds of enforced disappearance cases from the former regime remain unresolved, including those of Jaballah Hamed Matar, Dr. Amr al‑Nami, and Ezzat al‑Mughrabi, as well as victims of the Abu Salim prison massacre. Post‑2011 disappearances include elected officials, security officers, activists, and minors, such as Issam al‑Ghiryani, Abdel‑Salam al‑Mahdawi, Abdel‑Aziz Bannon, Dr. Nader al‑Omrani, and 17‑year‑old Wael al‑Maliki.
2017–2021
LHRS documented:
- 332 new cases in 2017
- 247 cases in 2018
- 344 cases in 2019
- 106 cases in 2020
- 38 cases in 2021
2020–2024 – Tarhouna
By 30 August 2024, 284 bodies had been exhumed from mass graves in Tarhouna, with 216 victims identified and 68 remaining unidentified.
2024–2025
Five additional victims of the al‑Kani militia were identified, and four new bodies were exhumed, leaving 69 victims unidentified as of 30 August 2025.
2024–2025 — Bir al‑Usta Milad, Tajoura
In October 2024, the General Authority for Search and Identification of Missing Persons announced the discovery of a mass grave in the Bir al‑Usta Milad area in the municipality of Tajoura, dating back to 2011. From the date of discovery, 20 October 2024, until 4 November 2024, the number of bodies recovered from the mass grave reached 86 victims.
On 27 February 2025, the Authority published a statement announcing the identification of 24 previously unidentified individuals from the 2011 missing persons through DNA analysis. The Authority did not clarify in its statement the location(s) where the victims’ remains were found, but based on the recorded locations and dates of disappearance, it is likely that these unidentified cases are among the bodies recovered from the mass grave in the Bir al‑Usta Milad area.
2025 — Tripoli
Following the killing of Abdelghani al‑Kikli, known as “Ghneiwa,” head of the “Stability Support Apparatus” militia, on 6 May 2025, unidentified bodies were found in the mortuary refrigerators of Abu Salim Hospital in Tripoli, which had been under the control of the Stability Support Apparatus militia. It was also announced that a mass grave and secret prisons existed in other locations previously controlled by the same militia.
The General Authority for Search and Identification of Missing Persons reported the discovery of 60 bodies inside the mortuary refrigerators at Abu Salim Hospital. It also announced that one victim had been identified through DNA matching: Younis Shukri Ibrahim Abdullah, a citizen from Tripoli.
