I'd like to make four points this morning.
First, the United Kingdom welcomes the announcement by the Libyan
High National Election Commission on 9 June that they have opened
voter registration for municipal elections in 60 municipalities.
We urge Libya's leaders to provide the necessary support,
including through cooperation with and funding to the HNEC, to
enable the successful delivery of these elections and allow
Libyans to exercise their democratic rights.
Second, the United Kingdom is concerned about the growing
humanitarian crisis in Kufra, which is receiving increasing
numbers of refugees fleeing the brutal war in Sudan. Reports of
child malnutrition and lack of medical facilities are of
particular concern. We call on the Libyan authorities to
prioritise these urgent humanitarian needs and facilitate access
for UN agencies and international NGOs.
Third, the continued closure of civic space and human rights
violations threaten Libya's stability and its future as an
inclusive democracy. As Deputy SRSG Koury said: the status quo is
not sustainable. Reports of enforced disappearances, torture, and
unlawful imprisonment are of utmost concern. We urge the Libyan
authorities to uphold the rule of law and prevent violations from
being carried out with impunity.
Fourth, we note that the Panel of Experts continues to describe
the arms embargo on Libya as totally ineffective because Member
States are providing military support to parties to the conflict,
controlling supply chains, and ignoring their obligations under
Council resolutions. These actions expose the vested interests of
certain Member States and confirm to the international community,
and to Libya, that they are not committed to Libyan sovereignty,
prosperity, or security.
To conclude, President, the United Kingdom will continue to
support UNSMIL and encourage Libya's leaders to engage with
UNSMIL in good faith and compromise. We look forward to the
appointment of a new Special Representative of the
Secretary-General, and we encourage members of the Council to
give the Secretary-General their full support in this regard, to
help facilitate progress under UN auspices.
President, as I saw on my visit last year, Libya has vast
potential but its future prosperity depends on a political
stability in a united country with transparent and accountable
institutions. A political settlement can unlock this potential.
