UN experts urge Libyan army to halt forced evictions in Benghazi

5 September 2023 (PEN) – The Libyan National Army (LNA) must immediately stop forcibly evicting residents and demolishing homes in downtown Benghazi, UN human rights experts have stressed.

The independent experts also stressed the need for the Libyan army to end reprisals and violence against demonstrators protesting these evictions.

"Since March this year, more than 20,000 Benghazi residents have been forced to evacuate their homes in a very short time by members of the Tariq bin Ziyad and 20/20 Battalions, and forced to abandon their property or title documents," the experts said in a press release.

"Deliberate demolitions, including of historic neighbourhoods, protected heritage sites and several residential units, have already caused irreparable damage to the urban architectural building and living heritage of the city and affected the lifestyle of residents," the experts stated.

 According to reports, there is no compensation scheme and the authorities have not provided the evacuated residents with any assistance to secure new housing of the same value. Instead, the experts said, "residents who opposed or protested the eviction plans were pressured to comply or remain silent, including through power cuts, harassment and violence."

The experts also expressed deep concern about the reported prevention and dispersal of demonstrations and the arbitrary arrest and detention of some human rights defenders and residents who have expressed opposition to the eviction plans.

"The destruction is spreading in a deeply alarming way, and has already deprived the population, all Libyans, as well as humanity, and the whole world of important archaeological and religious sites and buildings that bear witness to the long and continuous history of human presence in this city," they added.

The experts warned of a lack of transparency and accountability about the ongoing demolitions.