First training of Libyan Prosecutors on transitional justice issues

Tripoli, Libya, 26-28 May 2012


From 26 to 28 May 2012 No Peace Without Justice, upon the invitation of the Libyan Ministry of Justice, and in close cooperation with their Higher Judicial Training Institute, held the first in a series of practical trainings on special investigations and analysis designed specifically for Libyan prosecutors and investigators engaged in their country’s ongoing transitional justice process.
 
Libya’s judicial system faces an immense challenge. The revolution that successfully liberated Libya after 42 years of dictatorship was fought, amongst much else, to replace the impunity and abuses that typified Gaddafi’s rule with a new respect for the rule of law and a commitment to restoring justice and dignity to victims. Doing so requires not only the investigation and prosecution of the crimes and violence perpetrated during the revolution, but also efforts to confront a history of oppression and human rights abuses that dates back decades under the rule of the former regime.
 
To support Libyan prosecutors in this important work this training sought to introduce them to a number of experts with extensive first-hand practical experience of documenting and investigating crimes under international law and violations of international humanitarian law. The training introduced participants to the basic components of both international and Libyan law, and explained Libya’s international legal obligations; discussed strategies for collecting and analysing the large quantities of information necessary to successfully prosecute such complex crimes; and discussed a number of important and distinctly practical issues relating to documentary evidence, witnesses, and procedures for dealing with major crimes scenes, such as mass graves.
 
The training also sought to discuss the role of criminal prosecutions in Libya’s broader transitional justice process, emphasising the importance of a clear and consistent position on what crimes should be prosecuted, and outlining some of the non-judicial mechanisms that might complement a successful judicial programme.
 
This training forms part of No Peace Without Justice’s ongoing transitional justice programme in Libya, and will be followed by further technical training on various aspects of transitional justice for both Government and civil society partners.
 
Read also:
Libya: Workshop on criminal investigation for prosecutors
Libya Herald / PANA, Tripoli, 27 May 2012
 
For further information, please contact Michael Gibb, NPWJ Libya Project Coordinator, on mgibb@npwj.org or +218 (0)92 745 0375