In a disturbing development, Human Rights Watch has reported that at least 31 individuals have been executed in Libya following fundamentally flawed military trials since late August 2026. This marks a significant break from the de facto moratorium that had been in place since 2010. The executions, carried out by the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), underscore the pressing human rights concerns and the fragile political climate in the region.
Bassam Khawaja, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, criticized the actions of the LAAF, asserting that the trials were conducted in secrecy and were predicated on confessions allegedly obtained through torture. Khawaja highlighted that these executions stand as irreversible injustices, urging entities with sway over the LAAF to advocate for an end to such practices.
Libya has been wracked by turmoil since the 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi. The Libyan Arab Armed Forces, under General Khalifa Haftar, have maintained a stronghold in eastern Libya, functioning as a parallel government against the internationally recognized Government of National Unity. The LAAF’s influence extends significantly, especially across eastern and southern Libya, as it continues to expand its authority and recruit new forces according to reports.
The LAAF military prosecutor announced that ten executions took place on August 23 by firing squad, a move that human rights organizations further scrutinized as part of a larger series of 31 executions documented by September 10. The individuals executed had been convicted of murder and terrorism-related offenses tied to conflicts with opposing armed groups from 2014 to 2018. Many of these convictions arose under dubious circumstances, where torture seemingly played a role in securing confessions.
Despite the 2025 ruling of Libya’s Supreme Court declaring trials of civilians by military courts for terrorism unconstitutional, the executions proceeded, shedding light on the limitations of judicial pronouncements amidst the ongoing power dynamics. The United Nations and the Government of National Unity have also condemned these actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to international legal standards. The UNSC recently applauded an agreement aimed at mending relations between Libya’s rival factions, but tensions remain high amidst ongoing clashes involving various armed groups.
The situation demands urgent attention from the international community. As Libya grapples with persistent internal conflict, the exacerbation of human rights violations through such executions not only violates international law but also contributes to the instability plaguing the country.