Libyan civil society under threat

The United Nations human rights chief is warning that civil society, bloggers and professionals in Libya face a "climate of fear" created by warring militias.

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein says his agency has received numerous reports of assaults targeting rights advocates in Libya including murder, abduction and death threats. Many have since fled or suspended their work.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement on Tuesday that the attacks amount to "war crimes." He said perpetrators benefit from "total impunity" for such attacks and threaten Libya's few independent voices.

In one incident last month, two well-known activists were among 10 people killed in eastern Benghazi.
Violence and rivalries have deeply split Libya, which has fallen into chaos since the 2011 Nato-backed uprising that toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Source:  news24.com