By Janet Ekstract
NEW YORK- The United Nations Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) sounded the alarm about the abduction of Mr. Rida Faraj Fraitis, Chief of Staff for the First Deputy-Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU). The UNSMIL reported that Fraitis and his colleague were abducted by unidentified armed men on August 2, after a visit to the GNU in Tripoli. A statement from UNSMIL said: “The fate and whereabouts of both Mr. Fraitis and his colleague remain unknown and UNSMIL fears for their safety and security.”
The statement further explained: “The Mission expresses further concerns about individuals who have taken on roles in support of Libya”s democratic transition and State Institutions being targeted in this manner which has serious implications for the peace and reconcilation process and for the full unification of national institutions.” UNSMIL said that it has documented several cases of illegal arrests and detention, enforced disappearances as well as torture. In the past year, the mission said it also recorded cases of extrajudicial killings of citizens, officials, journalists, civil society members and human rights defenders.
UNSMIL chief and Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Jan Kubis commented: “Under international human rights law, no one may be arbitrarily arrested or detained. Torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings are strictly prohibited as are abductions and kidnappings.” The Mission is now calling on Libyan authorities to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
