TRIPOLI — Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s authoritarian regime in 2011, competing legislatures fighting for power continue to violate and abuse human rights in Libya.
According to an investigative report conducted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in February 2016, civilians in Libya are unlawfully executed, attacked, abducted, tortured and discriminated against. In many parts of Libya, the criminal justice system collapsed, leading to rampant lawlessness in the country. In addition, non-stop violence limits access to healthcare, education, food and safe drinking water.
To combat violations of human rights in Libya by local armed groups, the Humanitarian Country Response Team created the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Libya on December 9, 2015. The original plan asked for $165.6 million to help 2.4 million Libyan citizens in need of protection and basic needs such as food, shelter and sanitized water.
According to the U.N. News Centre, just two months after its launch the original HRP plan had only achieved raising one percent of the overall amount needed to support Lybians. Only two donors contributed as of February 1, 2016.
The plan was updated in November 2016. According to the HRP, there are currently 1.33 million people in need, 0.94 million are targeted for help and the collaborating partners of the plan need to raise $151 million to execute it.
Once funds are raised, partners plan to:
1. Save lives through safe and dignified access to essential health care and essential medicines. Specifically, essential medicines, medical supplies and human resources such as specialized doctors, nurses and technicians will be provided.
2. Protect the most vulnerable Libyan people, migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers.
To ensure this happens, humanitarian partners will reduce the impact of landmines and explosive hazards so that there will be more free movement. In addition, they plan to provide legal and social services to women, children, the elderly and survivors of sexual violence.
3. Save lives through safe and dignified access to multi-sector basic social services.
Humanitarian partners will assist the Libyan people, migrants and refugees through the provision of food, water, hygiene and non-food items. They plan to rehabilitate existing damaged water systems. Basic education and recreation materials will be provided.
Human rights are rights that inherently belong to every person. With the support of donations, HRP will ensure that Libyan civilians will enjoy the liberties of their unalienable rights.
– Jeanine Pounds
Photo: Flickr