19.02.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on Libya
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Thank you, Mr. President,
I would like to thank USG DiCarlo for her very informative briefing. I also welcome the representative of Libya to our meeting today.
And like others, let me start by welcoming the appointment of Hanna Tetteh as the new SRSG for Libya at this critical juncture. We also welcome the extension of UNSMIL’s mandate for another nine months.
Together, we hope that these developments will provide momentum towards the realization of a Libyan-led, Libyan-owned political process.
Mr. President, allow me to make three points.
First, the Libyan people have the right to choose their own future.
They have waited for over three years for planned national elections to take place.
Many have waited decades for their voices to be heard. Some younger generations have never been able to vote in national elections.
Last year’s completion of the first round of municipal elections was a welcome first step. This step, followed by the recent launch of another round, give hope for the long-awaited implementation of the national electoral process.
We commend deputy SRSG Koury for launching an initiative to address the political impasse and we hope that SRSG Tetteh will build on this foundation for preparing national elections.
The recent announcement of the appointment and establishment of the Advisory Committee is a positive and timely development. We commend UNSMIL for ensuring balanced gender, cultural and geographic representation.
We urge all Libyan institutions and stakeholders to support the Committee’s work and shield it from political interference.
A unified national vision is essential for advancing toward national elections and institutional unification. This is the only viable pathway towards long-term stability and prosperity for the Libyan people.
Mr. President, my second point,
Women continue to face significant barriers to participating in political life in Libya. This must urgently be addressed.
No woman should fear reprisals as a consequence of political engagement - neither online, nor offline.
Women must be at the table where the decisions on Libya's future are made. They must be able to advocate publicly for their rights and interests.
And like other parts of civil society, organisations promoting women’s rights should be supported and ensured their ability to operate freely.
Third, Mr. President,
Denmark remains deeply concerned about the fragile security situation in Libya.
We welcome the continued engagement of the 5+5 Joint Military Committee and its efforts to reunite Libya’s military and security institutions and implement the 2020 ceasefire agreement.
The continued presence of foreign forces and mercenaries in Libya is highly destabilising. They must be fully withdrawn.
Furthermore, we condemn the continued and systematic violations of international law, especially international human rights law, carried out by Libyan security actors. And like others we are alarmed by the recent discovery of mass graves, where an independent investigation should be conducted. Accountability is crucial.
Denmark fully supports the ICC’s work in Libya. We welcome the strengthened engagement of the Libyan authorities with the Court and call on all actors to execute outstanding arrest warrants. There can be no impunity for the atrocity crimes that have been committed.
To conclude,
Libyans deserve independent unified institutions. They deserve a state that abides by the rule of law. One that responds to the needs of the many, not the desires of the few.
We are hopeful that the appointment of SRSG Tetteh can lead to tangible progress. Denmark fully supports her efforts to effectively implement UNSMIL’s mandate. We urge all stakeholders to do so.
Thank you.
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