Crimes of Libya’s Brotherhood continue to kidnap university professors
Media sources revealed on Saturday (November
9th) the kidnapping by an armed group belonging to Al-Wefaq government of the
president of Al-Zaytoonah University and his companions in the city of Tarhuna.
Libyan media said the group had arrested the
president of Zaytuna University, Abdel Fattah al-Malty, who was accompanied by
the university's registrar, Ahmed Masoud, on the Sirte road.
A history of criminality
In 2017, the board of the University of
Tripoli decided to postpone examinations in all faculties of the university
until further notice, in protest against the kidnapping of the university's
undersecretary for financial administrative affairs, Dr. Saeed Suleiman
Maayouf, by armed militia, after his car came under fire.
In a report published on Monday, May 5, 2017,
Amnesty International revealed the high toll of abductions of Libyan university
professors and faculty members by armed militias.
The report spoke about Dr. Salem Mohammed Beit
al-Mal, a professor at the University of Tripoli, who was kidnapped near his
home west of Tripoli, and said, “the escalation of kidnappings sheds light on
the absence of the rule of law, fueling chaos and insecurity.”
Amnesty International called on the Wefaq
government to thoroughly investigate all abductions of civilians and to ensure
a speedy and safe return of civilians.
Ongoing violations
In May 2017, the faculty members of the
University of Tripoli organized a vigil to denounce the continuation of
kidnappings and disappearances.
A statement of protesters considered that when
the university is targeted, the state was targeted at its highest educational
institutions, and its finest scientific elite. When the professor is targeted
by kidnapping and intimidation, the community and the country in general are kidnapped.
In a related statement, the National Committee
for Human Rights in Libya expressed concern about the increasing cases of
arbitrary arrest and detention, kidnapping and disappearance by armed militias,
on the basis of their origins, social affiliations or political views. They are
at risk of torture and ill-treatment, and are often denied contact with their
families and relatives.
