ICC prepares to investigate crimes committed by Islamic State in Libya

The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor said that she is ready to investigate crimes committed by the Islamic State in Libya, where the United Nations is pushing for a peace deal. Fatou Bensouda told the UN Security Council that the court’s jurisdiction extends to such alleged crimes by jihadist groups aligned with IS - but it is first up to individual states to prosecute their citizens accused of offences. International alarm over IS’s expansion into Libya after Syria and Iraq has prompted the United Nations to redouble efforts to broker a deal in Libya on a national unity government able to confront the jihadists.

[I’m] actively considering the investigation and prosecution of further cases, and will not hesitate to take such action as may be needed to contribute to ending impunity in Libya.

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda

Human rights organisations are concerned that the focus on accountability for atrocities is losing ground as the United Nations seeks a consensus on the new government makeup. The United Nations Security Council asked the court in 2011 to investigate crimes committed since the start of an uprising the same year that led to the fall of leader Muammar Gaddafi. Libya has since descended into chaos, with two competing governments backed by militia brigades scrambling for control of the oil-producing country and creating havens for Islamist militants and traffickers.

The Security Council is watching Libya descend into chaos as horrendous crimes multiply.

Richard Dicker, Human Rights Watch.

Middle East fatou bensouda