14 June 2016 – The UN human rights office today urged the Libyan authorities to undertake an effective, thorough and impartial investigation to bring perpetrators of torture to justice, after 12 people were found dead last Friday.

“A complete disregard for human life and breakdown in the rule of law continue to prevail in many parts of Libya,” said a statement issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The twelve people killed were affiliated with the former Qaddafi regime, and had supposedly been released the previous day from Al-Baraka prison in Tripoli, in compliance with a court order.

According to family members who identified some of the bodies, the victims had apparently been severely tortured and beaten, and had been shot several times. Some also had burn marks and were found with their hands and feet tied.

“Torture and attacks against civilians are crimes under international law,” OHCHR stressed, urging Libyan authorities to investigate promptly.