UN Human Rights Council 37th session (26 February to 23 March 2018)
Item 10: Interactive dialogue on report of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Libya presented by Andrew Gilmour , Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) welcomes the report of the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Libya (UN index: A/HRC/37/46), and efforts to integrate a gender perspective in it. We recommend that gender analysis be elaborated further in future reports.
The serious and widespread human rights violations perpetrated by all parties to the conflict are startling. These include indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in residential areas, the targeting of health facilities, and unlawful killings.
We remain particularly alarmed by violations of women and girls’ human rights, including violence in detention facilities, the use of women as bargaining chips in prisoner exchanges, attacks against women human rights defenders and civil society activists, and the numerous abuses suffered by migrant women.
Mr. Gilmour,
The High Commissioner’s report on Libya provides information on the several ways through which OHCHR and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) have provided technical support in relation to, for example, addressing violations of the right to life, arbitrary deprivation of liberty, torture and ill-treatment. Were the direct cooperation, provision of protection and capacity-building strategies gender-sensitive? If so, how did OHCHR make sure that this is the case?
Mr. Vice President,
WILPF echos the recommendations in the High Commissioner’s report, particularly his appeal to all parties to the conflict to cease all hostilities and to engage in a meaningful, inclusive political dialogue built on ensuring the respect for human rights and the rule of law, to stop immediately all attacks against civilians.
We particularly ask all UN States to work closely with the UN Special Envoy on Libya to:
- Strengthen UNSMIL’s disarmament work, as disarmament is essential to prevent further escalation of the conflict,
- Promote the full and effective participation of women in all discussions on disarmament and arms control.
- Develop concrete steps to ensure ongoing consultations with, financial support to, and strengthen capacity building for local women-led civil society organisations in Libya.
Transformative change requires cultivating flourishing and resilient communities aimed at gendered inclusion and justice.
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