Pakistan advocates respect for Libya’s judicial sovereignty as ICC begins War Crimes Trial in Libya Case

• Ambassador Asim Iftikhar stresses impartial, rule-based international justice system, reaffirming Pakistan’s support for Libya’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity

• ICC trial of Libyan suspect marks milestone in post-2011 accountability process

• UN told cooperation with Libyan authorities vital for implementing Resolution 1970 (2011)

• Victims’ testimonies described as bringing ‘some measure of justice and healing’

 UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan on Friday told the UN Security Council that a Libyan-led political process remains the only viable path to lasting peace, as the International Criminal Court (ICC) begins its first trial of a Libyan war crimes suspect, while reaffirming its unwavering support for Libya’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity.

Speaking during a Council briefing on “Libya (ICC)”, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said that although Pakistan is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC, it remains committed to the goal of credible and impartial accountability for serious international crimes.

“While Pakistan is not a party to the Rome Statute, we remain committed to the objective of credible and impartial accountability for serious crimes,” the ambassador said, stressing that the legitimacy and credibility of international accountability mechanisms depend on the uniform application of international law and strict adherence to principles of fairness and impartiality.

The case under discussion involves the prosecution of Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, arising from ICC investigations into atrocities in Libya following the 2011 fall of leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The Pakistani envoy noted El Hishri’s surrender to the ICC and underlined the importance of sustained cooperation between the Court and Libyan authorities for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011), which referred the Libyan situation to the ICC and imposed measures including a travel ban, asset freezes, and an arms embargo on the former Libyan regime and its associates.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s consistent position, Ambassador Ahmad reiterated strong support for Libya’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity, saying that consistency, objectivity and non-selectivity were essential to strengthening global confidence in international justice mechanisms.

He further emphasized that engagement between the ICC Office of the Prosecutor and Libyan institutions should fully respect Libya’s judicial sovereignty, national legal structures and legitimate concerns.

“National ownership and capacity-building should remain central to all accountability efforts,” he said, adding that Pakistan supports all Libyan-led initiatives aimed at preserving judicial unity, strengthening the rule of law and reinforcing constitutional oversight.

Briefing the 15-member Security Council, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said recent judicial proceedings, including the confirmation hearing of El Hishri, had brought victims “some measure of justice and healing,” while calling for stronger international cooperation to secure arrests and advance accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and abuses against migrants.

“We know from those women who have given their voice to this case, and from so many Libyans in The Hague with us this week, that simply hearing these accounts being put to Mr. El Hishri in a court of law has brought some measure of justice,” she said via video link.

Recalling her November 2025 briefing to the Council, Khan said El Hishri’s arrest by German authorities—enabling the first trial in the Libya situation—marked a significant milestone in long-delayed accountability efforts for crimes committed in the North African country.

She told the Council that El Hishri faces 17 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, mainly related to abuses at Mitiga Prison, including its women’s section, where victims described being “suspended from the ceiling, dragged by their hair,” and subjected to rape and severe beatings.

Khan also expressed regret over her inability to attend the Council in person, stating it was due to the non-issuance of a US visa required for travel. She informed members that the ICC’s Libya Unified Team is operating in multiple locations, gathering evidence and information under the framework of Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011).