Speech

Universal Periodic Review 50: UK Statement on Libya

Statement by the UK's Ambassador for Human Rights to the UN, Eleanor Sanders, at Libya's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Eleanor Sanders
Published
12 November 2025
Location:
Geneva
Delivered on:
(Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Eleanor Sanders

Thank you Mr Vice President.

The UK welcomes recent steps by the Libyan government, including extending ICC jurisdiction to 2027 and supporting the renewal of OHCHR’s technical assistance.

However, we remain gravely concerned by escalating human rights violations and abuses, particularly arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and torture, committed with near-total impunity.

We also call for meaningful engagement in the UN’s political process. Lasting peace and stability are vital to advancing human rights.

We recommend that Libya:

  1. Ensures access and accountability by allowing unrestricted entry for UN bodies and NGOs to all areas, including detention centres and mass graves, and fully cooperating with investigations into disappearances, torture and extrajudicial killings.

  2. Ends abuse of migrants and refugees by closing detention centres linked to torture, sexual violence and killings, and establishes a fair asylum system in line with international law.

  3. Advances women’s rights by: repealing discriminatory laws, notably Penal Code Article 424; criminalising all forms of sexual and gender-based violence including online; and ensuring women’s full participation in politics and peacebuilding.

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 12 November 2025