UNITED NATIONS, New York – Libyan militias remain heavily armed and uncontrolled causing a surge in unrest and were illegally holding thousands of people, UN envoys have told the Security Council. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay and the UN Libya envoy Ian Martin both have expressed their concerns over the situation in Libya where they say the weak interim government struggles to assert its authority.

UN says the majority of detainees "include a large number of sub-saharan, African nationals" | Photo: Al Jazeera

The recent clashes between pro-Gaddafi supporters and National Transitional Council (NTC) forces were provoked by both parties, Ian Martin said in a session assessing the current situation in the country. Until recently, the interim authorities managed to handle these kinds of incidents fairly well but they might happen again in the future, he said.

When it comes to human rights, Pillay informed the Security Council Wednesday of her extreme concern over the conditions of detention and treatment of detainees held by the various revolutionary brigades. The commissioner noted that the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, had visited over 8,500 detainees in approximately 60 places between March and December last year.

The majority of the detainees are accused of being loyalists of the deposed leader, the late Muammar Gaddafi, and include a large number of citizens of sub-Saharan Africa, she said. ”The lack of oversight by the central authorities creates an environment conducive to torture and ill-treatment,” said Pillay, adding that her staff had received alarming reports on what was happening in places of detention.

“It is therefore urgent that all detention centres are brought under the control of the Ministry of Justice and the General Prosecutor’s Office. Moreover, a structure and process for judicial screening of detainees should be in place immediately.” Other areas of concern include conditions for people subjected to internal forced and involuntary displacement, the status of women and past abuses.