Growing concern over abducted lawmaker
Publish date: 19 August 2019
Issue Number: 837
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: Libya
The embassies of the UK, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Holland along with the EU’s delegation to Libya, are calling for the release of Siham Sirgiwa, an abducted member of the House of Representatives, citing grave concerns over her whereabouts. The Libya Observer reports that they have called on the relevant authorities to probe the kidnapping and other forced disappearances and illegal arrests in Libya 'which violate international humanitarian law and UN human rights laws'. The Libyan Express reports that gunmen stormed Sirgiwa’s house on 16 July and shot her husband who is recovering in hospital. Sirgiwa has been vocal in her rejection of the military operations in Tripoli and of violations against strongman Khalifa Haftar’s forces in different areas.