The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has expressed deep concern over the continued grave human rights violations against hundreds of citizens held arbitrarily and outside the rule of law in several prisons in eastern Libya, most notably Al‑Kuwayfiyah Prison (both civilian and military wings), Abu Dizrah Prison in Benghazi, and Qarnada Prison in Shahat. These violations persist amid a clear failure to implement judicial rulings and release orders issued by the Public Prosecution and competent courts.
According to credible information received by CFJ, the authorities managing Al‑Kuwayfiyah Prison have refused to enforce release orders for at least 74 detainees, despite the issuance of binding judicial decisions. Additionally, several detainees have been held arbitrarily for more than 18 months without being brought before a judge—constituting a blatant violation of fair‑trial guarantees and the rule of law.
CFJ has also documented the continued detention—now in its second year—of individuals affiliated with Sufi religious orders, without any legal procedures, and with complete denial of their right to communicate with lawyers or family members. These detainees have also been deprived of visits and access to necessary healthcare, and subjected to physical and psychological torture and poor treatment inside detention facilities.
Reliable testimonies further indicate that officials at Al‑Kuwayfiyah Prison have threatened detainees and warned them against providing information to the government committee assigned to inspect prison conditions. Moreover, several detainees were transferred to secret detention sections within the prison to conceal them from the committee—especially Sufi detainees held in Wards 4 and 5, referred to as the “isolation area” near the prison clinic.
CFJ estimates that approximately 210 individuals remain arbitrarily detained in Al‑Kuwayfiyah, Abu Dizrah, and Qarnada prisons, under accusations related to “protecting public morals” or due to their affiliation or activities with Sufi orders—without judicial warrants, and among them are children, women, and minors.
The committee has also documented widespread violations during detention, including torture, coercion, and breaches of privacy, such as the searching of mobile phones and inspection of personal content without a warrant or judicial oversight.
CFJ holds the executive and security authorities fully legally responsible for the safety and well‑being of detainees. The committee calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained individuals, the swift implementation of judicial rulings and release orders, and the opening of independent and transparent investigations into all allegations of torture and ill‑treatment. CFJ urges full accountability for perpetrators and insists on ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law.
