The London-based human rights group, in a report titled "Libya of
Tomorrow: What Hope for Human Rights?" said ISA played a leading role in the
policy by Tripoli to engage in torture and execution without trial, Middle East Newsline reported. Amnesty
said Libya has resisted efforts to end human rights abuses since its
reconciliation with the West in 2003.
"Human rights violations in Libya are facilitated by the absence of
adequate legal safeguards, particularly in cases that are deemed to be
political in nature," the report, released on June 23, said. "Even those
limited safeguards that exist in Libyan legislation tend to be routinely
flouted in such cases, particularly by members of the security forces such
as the Internal Security Agency, an intelligence body."
The report said ISA controls two major prisons, Abu Salim and Ain Zara.
The agency also operates several secret detention centers inaccessible to
Libyan judges.
"Members of the ISA arrest and detain individuals suspected of dissent
or deemed to present a security threat," the report said. "These detainees
are held incommunicado for prolonged periods in conditions amounting to
enforced disappearance in certain cases, exposing them to the risk of
torture or other ill-treatment and breaching even the limited safeguards set
out in Libya's Code of Criminal Procedure."
Amnesty said up to 1,200 detainees were said to have been killed at Abu
Salim prison after a 1996 riot that protested conditions. Libya was
said to have reneged on its pledge to improve conditions at Abu Salim.
In most cases, the report said, Libyan authorities have offered the
families of victims of prison abuse financial compensation on condition that
they would not pursue judicial redress. In Benghazi, however, the families,
supported by Gadhafi's son, Seif, have openly demanded an investigation of
abuse and torture at Abu Salim.
Amnesty said information on ISA detention centers has been limited. The
group cited fear by former detainees and their families to report details,
particularly regarding torture.
"No members of the ISA are known to have been held accountable for
committing gross human rights violations including torture and extrajudicial
executions," the report said.
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