Libya
This country page describes, in brief, data that TJET has compiled on regime transitions, intrastate conflict episodes, and transitional justice mechanisms. For details on the data included on this page, view the FAQ.
For Libya, TJET has collected information on: five amnesties between 1998 and 2015; one domestic trial starting in 2011; one foreign trial starting in 2019; three international trials starting between 2011 and 2017; and two vetting policies starting between 2012 and 2013.
Select any transitional justice mechanism in the table below to view a timeline in the figure.
Country Background
Democratic Transition
TJET records no democratic transitions in Libya between 1970 and 2020.
Violent Conflict
Based on the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, TJET records ten violent intrastate conflict episodes between 2011 and 2020 (during nine calendar years), involving eight distinct armed opposition groups fighting against the government. Three conflict episodes were internationalized by involvement of external state actors.
Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions. Source: UCDP Dyadic Dataset version 23.1, https://ucdp.uu.se/downloads/index.html#dyadic.
Transitional Justice Data
As of 2020, Libya ranks 16th out of 174 on TJET’s legacy of violence index. For a full list of country rankings over time, view the index page, and for an explanation of the index, view the Methods & FAQs page.
Amnesties
Libya had five amnesties between 1998 and 2015. One was passed during ongoing internal armed conflict. Three were passed after internal armed conflict. One was part of a peace agreement. Two amnesties released political prisoners. Three amnesties forgave human rights violations.
Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.
Domestic Trials
TJET has compiled data on one domestic prosecution between 2011 and 2015. These include one intrastate conflict prosecution of state agents, in which five persons were convicted. In one trial that involved high-ranking state agents, three persons were convicted.
Click on accused records for data on convictions. Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.
International or Hybrid Trials
Nationals of Libya were subject to three international prosecutions between 2011 and 2017, which led to no convictions. Libya was referred to the ICC in 2011. The ICC's Office of the Prosecutor opened a preliminary examination of the situation in Libya in 2011. The first investigation of a specific case began in 2011. Starting in 2011, the ICC issued five arrest warrants, none of which resulted in court appearances.
Click on accused records for data on convictions. Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.
Foreign Trials
Nationals of Libya were defendants in one foreign prosecution in Italy beginning in 2019.
Click on accused records for data on convictions. Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.
Vetting Policies
Libya had two vetting policies, starting in 2012; one of these ended by 2014. These policies provided sanctions based on past individual conduct.
Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.
UN Investigations
Libya was subject to three UN investigations between 2011 and 2023. Two investigations aimed to encourage domestic prosecutions.
Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.