No Peace Without Justice (NPWJ) welcomes the declaration by the Government of Libya, submitted on 12 May 2025 under Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute, accepting the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes committed on its territory from 2011 to the end of 2027.
As political violence in Libya threatens to be on the raise again, this voluntary declaration marks a significant commitment to accountability and the rule of law. It provides a clear and independent jurisdictional basis for ICC action, beyond the framework of the 2011 UN Security Council referral, and enables enhanced cooperation between Libyan authorities and the Court.
NPWJ hails this decision as a meaningful break from past impunity and a signal of renewed engagement with international justice which requires concrete decisions to be taken on the ground and unconditional access for ICC to investigate. We particularly welcome its potential impact for victims, whose right to justice is reinforced by this important step.
In light of our longstanding human rights work in Libya, NPWJ stands ready to support all efforts aimed at advancing justice and human rights.
For further information, please contact press@npwj.org or Nicola Giovannini at ngiovannini@npwj.org
