Libya: Prisoners strike in Jadida prison, families hold sit-in

Libya: Prisoners strike in Jadida prison, families hold sit-in

Alkarama received news of a large prison strike of prisoners inside Tripoli’s Jadida prison.
Four day ago, the prisoners began a hunger strike to put pressure on the Libyan authorities to alleviate their suffering, and in protest against the decision of amnesty issued by the Libyan authorities that gives the prisoners general rights. The order came on the fortieth anniversary of the Libyan revolution, at the beginning of this month. Nevertheless, the purpose of the order has not been upheld.

Alkarama learned that the prisoners are living in miserable conditions. In each cell, even despite their small size, there are 19 prisoners. Detainees also complain of lack of health care and the spread of diseases among them. Neglect in this case, led to the death of a number of prisoners during the past two years.

The families of the prisoners carried out a sit-in yesterday, until late in the evening, in front of the Gaddafi Foundation for Development, administered by the son of Libyan leader, in order to intervene with the State to resolve their children’s cases.

The families of prisoners had another sit-in today in front of the Gaddafi Development Foundation after receiving promises from officials that they would intercede with the State. Alkarama learned that there was supposed to be a meeting between the Libyan Minister of Justice, the advisor Abdul Jalil Mustafa, and a committee from the families of prisoners who formed an Assembly in order to protect their children. The families of prisoners request the following from the Libyan authorities:

1 – To release their children, in order for the decision of amnesty to prevail;

2 – To give their children an opportunity to be integrated into society and to enjoy a decent livelihood;

3 – To put an end to special courts, where sentences for their children by the now defunct People’s Court and the “specialized” court were pronounced. Such special courts have issued harsh sentences ranging from 7 years to life imprisonment.

Therefore, Alkarama expresses its deep concern over the situation of prisoners in Libya and calls on the Libyan authorities to :

1 – Comply with the requirements of international treaties and the conventions signed by Libya.

2 – Improve the conditions of prisoners in its jails, thus opening its prisons to international organizations to control the extent to which treatment inside the prison is accordance with Libya’s human rights obligations to the international community,

3 -Ensure the right to fair trials for each of the accused, in accordance with international standards, particularly since many of the prisoners were tired by special tribunals, and that the Libyan authorities re-try those prisoners who are victims of unjust and unfair trials.