UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said it is “concerned by the ongoing harassment, restrictions, and violence targeting lawyers, including the brutal 18 July beating of lawyer, Abdullah Ali Farahat in the Tripoli Court by Deterrence Apparatus for Combating Organized Crime and Terrorism’ (DACOT) guards.”
In the past six months, three other lawyers have been assaulted, and arbitrarily arrested and detained, according to UNSMIL.
“Lawyers have an essential role in the pursuit of justice and under Libyan law must be protected from arrest, detention, and other legal procedures while performing their official duties,” the Mission said Saturday.
UNSMIL called for “a full, independent investigation into all attacks against members of the legal profession carrying out their official duties and for all perpetrators of violence to be held accountable.”