Audio By Carbonatix
Armed militias are threatening the security and stability of Libya, Amnesty International has warned.
The human rights group says at least 12 detainees held by militias have died after being tortured since September.
The report is being released to coincide with the one-year anniversary on Friday of the revolt that toppled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Last month, the UN said about 8,000 pro-Gaddafi supporters were being held by militia groups.
The interim government has said it is trying to reassert authority, but correspondents say it has largely failed to rein in the groups.
'Nobody responsible'
According to Amnesty, some groups of former rebels are committing human rights violations with impunity, unchecked by the interim government.
The report cites detainees who said they been suspended in contorted positions, beaten for hours with whips, cables, plastic hoses, metal chains and bars, and given electric shocks with live wires and taser-like electroshock weapons.
"Nobody is holding these militias responsible," Donatella Rovera, senior crisis response adviser at Amnesty International, told AP news agency.
In one detention centre, in Tripoli, investigators found severely tortured detainees who interrogators tried to conceal, Amnesty said. The report is based on research conducted in Libya in January and February.
The group noted that African migrants and refugees - who were accused during the conflict of being "mercenaries" for Muammar Gaddafi - were among those being abused.
Militias have also been responsible for fatal clashes in Tripoli and fighting in other towns in recent months.
On Tuesday, thousands of fighters from across western Libya held a parade in the capital, displaying heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, and firing rifles in the air.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
UTAG threatens nationwide strike over delay in book and research allowance rate
4 minutes -
Boundary Commission urges border residents to protect boundary pillars and support national security
7 minutes -
Ghana to grow at 5.0% GDP in 2026, but faces huge investment financing gap – AfDB
8 minutes -
Deputy AG, 14 CSOs appear at Supreme Court for hearing on challenge to OSP’s prosecutorial powers
13 minutes -
Minority MPs meet Ghana High Commissioner to Canada to discuss diaspora welfare and bilateral relations
22 minutes -
GNAT threatens WASSCE boycott over detained Nyinahin SHS teacher
29 minutes -
Free SHS: Education Minister hails end of school food shortages
33 minutes -
NLA Director-General calls for a concerted effort in fight against illegal gambling
35 minutes -
74% of returned Ghanaians had overstayed visas – South Africa’s Int’l Relations Minister
38 minutes -
Ghana’s National Vaccine Institute joins WHO-backed Global Clinical Trials Forum
44 minutes -
World Bank set to approve US$300m for expansion of Ghana’s school infrastructure
45 minutes -
South Africa says investigations ongoing, no decision yet on compensation for returned Ghanaians
52 minutes -
BECE to be extended from 5 to 8 days under proposed exam timetable reform—Education Minister
56 minutes -
Betway Ghana celebrates its 10th Birthday with “IT’S YOUR TEN” campaign
60 minutes -
Discussions on xenophobia must be based on verified facts, not rumours – Lamola
1 hour