The National Human Rights Institution in Libya has voiced profound concern following the storming of the Central Bank of Libya’s building in Tripoli. This infiltration, which the institution condemned as a “dangerous and unacceptable act,” was reportedly carried out by groups affiliated with the General Security Apparatus and the Security forces, operating under the Ministry of Interior within the Government of National Unity. Such an incident is seen as a direct assault on the state’s sovereignty and the prestige of its institutions.
In a statement reviewed by “Almanassa,” the institution vehemently denounced this behaviour, branding it a “punishable crime under law.” It issued a stern warning against the continued imposition of a fait accompli by armed formations, leveraging the force of arms under the guise of what it termed a “formal legitimacy.” This, the institution argued, serves to sanction illegal actions that undermine institutional stability and civil peace.
Furthermore, the institution expressed its dismay at the conspicuous silence of the Head of the GNU, Abdul Hamid Dabaiba, regarding these blatant violations. It posited that the absence of an official stance signals a troubling dynamic in the relationship between the executive authority and certain armed groups, which now appear to operate with impunity within the state’s sovereign premises.
The institution underscored the paramount necessity of safeguarding the Central Bank of Libya from any military or political interference, asserting that any aggression against it constitutes a crime demanding an urgent investigation and accountability for all implicated parties. In this regard, it urged the Attorney General to initiate comprehensive and transparent legal proceedings to ascertain both criminal and administrative responsibilities.
The institution called upon the Head of the Government of National Unity to undertake concrete and decisive measures to dislodge armed groups from state institutions and vital facilities, and to open the door for accountability against anyone proven to be involved, irrespective of their status or position. Concluding its statement, the institution reaffirmed its commitment to persistently monitor and document any violations affecting sovereign institutions, emphasizing that their protection forms a fundamental pillar for the establishment of a state governed by law and robust institutions.