The Crime Monitoring Organization in Libya has expressed concern over the continued and repeated serious violations against journalists in eastern and western Libya. These violations, which include arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and torture, have been documented as being carried out by security agencies and armed groups affiliated with the authorities.
According to the organization, these violations have resulted in a decline in press freedom and independent journalism in Libya. The report highlighted that some journalists have been forced to stop working independently, change their field of work, or leave Libya altogether due to the persistent threats and harassment they face.
On November 2, 2026, the Crime Monitoring Organization issued a statement on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Committed Against Journalists. The organization emphasized that the lack of accountability for these crimes has created a climate of fear among journalists and has emboldened those responsible for the violations.
The organization documented that the violations committed against journalists in Libya also included attacks on their workplaces, threats, intimidation, and targeting of their families. These actions have severely undermined the ability of journalists to carry out their work independently and without fear of reprisal.
The Crime Monitoring Organization reiterated its call to the authorities in eastern and western Libya to cease targeting journalists for their work and to take effective measures to protect them. The organization also urged the authorities to guarantee that journalists can practice their profession freely and independently.
Furthermore, the organization requested that the Office of the Public Prosecutor initiate independent and effective investigations into the violations committed against journalists. It also called for those responsible for the violations, including those who ordered them, to be held accountable and prosecuted.
The persistence of these violations against journalists in Libya underscores the need for greater protection and accountability. The Crime Monitoring Organization's report serves as a reminder of the critical role that journalists play in Libyan society and the importance of ensuring their safety and freedom to report.
Key points
- The Crime Monitoring Organization in Libya documented various forms of violations against journalists, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and torture.
- The organization attributed these violations to security agencies and armed groups affiliated with the authorities in eastern and western Libya.
- The lack of accountability for these crimes has contributed to a decline in press freedom and independent journalism in Libya.
