On the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the undersigned human rights organisations express their concern over the continuing violations against journalists in Libya amid the persistent absence of justice and accountability. They call for the immediate release of all journalists detained for their work or opinions, and for thorough investigations into crimes and violations committed against them, ensuring that those responsible are held to account. The organisations also emphasise the importance of a comprehensive and transparent reform of the media sector, which must involve journalists, civil society, and all relevant stakeholders, to guarantee freedom of expression, media independence, and the safety of media professionals.
For over a decade, journalists in Libya have faced arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, physical assaults, and threats. These violations have occurred amid deep political divisions and the fragmentation of state institutions, fostering a pervasive culture of impunity that undermines media freedom, journalists’ safety, and the public’s right to information.
The legal and institutional framework governing the media sector in Libya remains outdated and fragmented, failing to keep pace with developments in press freedom: it fails to include any regulations or guidance for social media, or even audiovisual media. Libya’s authorities continue to apply the Publication Law adopted in 1972 under Muammar al-Qaddafi’s regime (Law No. 76 on Publications). The law includes provisions that restrict press freedom, impose prior censorship, and prescribe prison sentences for violations of the law —all of which create a hostile environment for journalists.
Furthermore, the ongoing political division between the two rival governments – the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity in the west, and the Tobruk-based Government of National Stability and House of Representatives in the east – along with the continued use of other laws dating back to the Qaddafi era, as well as post-revolution government decree-led regulations, has further complicated the legal framework governing the media in Libya.
The absence of a unified media law has left the sector in disarray, with no clear vision for reform. The media landscape remains fragmented and vulnerable to political interference, reflecting the country’s broader instability and institutional weakness. Journalists are subject to restrictive provisions spread across multiple laws, including the Penal Code, the Anti-Terrorism Law, and the extremely outdated Publications Law — often used to criminalise journalistic work.
The Publications Law (Law No. 76 of 1972) requires media outlets to obtain prior authorisation from the Department of Publications before establishing operations and imposes prison sentences of no less than six months for those operating without a licence or a press card. These provisions are frequently used as political tools to silence independent or critical voices and constitute a disproportionate restriction on freedom of expression under international human rights standards.
The undersigned organisations welcome the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court’s historic ruling in early November 2025 declaring the trial of civilians before military courts unconstitutional. The Court’s decision, which struck down Law No. (4) of 2017, amending certain provisions of the Military Penal Code, represents a positive step toward establishing the rule of law and institutions that support it, and an important safeguard for citizens’ rights — particularly journalists — and their fundamental freedoms.
Journalist Salehin Al-Zarwali still faces charges under the Military Code as it stood before its recent amendment. Detained since May 2024 for Facebook posts criticising the authorities, he will be tried before a military court in Benghazi after repeated postponements. His legal team faces difficulties accessing case files, raising serious concerns about his right to a fair trial.
Between 2005 and 2025, more than 40 journalists and bloggers have been killed in Libya, while dozens of others have been abducted and tortured with total impunity. From 2014 to 2024, 488 violations against journalists were documented, while many victims refrained from filing complaints out of fear of retaliation as impunity continues amid ongoing political and military conflict.
The undersigned organisations affirm that ensuring accountability for crimes committed against journalists and protecting media freedom are essential to restoring public trust and supporting Libya’s path toward a free and democratic society that respects human rights. They call for the immediate release of all journalists detained for their media work or opinions, and for independent investigations into all crimes and violations against journalists, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
The organisations further urge the adoption of a comprehensive, transparent, and participatory media reform process that aligns with international standards on media independence, pluralism, and journalists’ safety. This process should include the active participation of journalists, media institutions, and civil society organisations, with the goal of establishing a strong media framework that guarantees freedom of expression and protects the rights and safety of all media professionals in Libya.
Signatories
- ARTICLE 19
- Aswat Network
- Lawyers for Justice in Libya
- The Libyan Center for Press Freedom
- The Libyan Organization for Independent Media
- Rabssa Media and Culture Group