The National Human Rights Commission, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, represented by Dr Rana Al-Jamal, participated in the First International Conference on Justice and Reform, held in Benghazi, Libya, from 28 to 30 July 2026 under the theme “Justice Is the Foundation of Reconciliation.” The conference brought together representatives from approximately 30 countries, along with leading experts, academics, legal professionals, and representatives of national, regional, and international institutions.
The conference was organised by the National Committee for Monitoring the Conditions of Prisons and Prisoners. It aimed to assess the state of correctional institutions in Libya, review efforts to develop them, exchange international expertise and experiences in the fields of justice, reform, and the rule of law, and strengthen partnerships among relevant stakeholders at the local, regional, and international levels.
The conference witnessed broad international participation, including that of Ulrika Richardson, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Libya and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.
Pretrial Detention and Human Rights Safeguards
During the conference, Dr Rana Al-Jamal delivered a presentation entitled “Pretrial Detention between the Presumption of Innocence and Human Rights Safeguards,” in which she examined the legal and human rights implications of resorting to pretrial detention.
Al-Jamal stressed that pretrial detention is one of the most serious criminal justice measures affecting the rights to liberty and personal security. She emphasised that it must be treated as an exceptional measure, used only when strictly necessary and subject to clear legal safeguards and effective judicial oversight. She also underscored the need to uphold the presumption of innocence and maintain a balance between the requirements of criminal justice, on the one hand, and the protection of detainees’ rights and human dignity, on the other.
Over three days, participants discussed four principal themes addressing legislative, procedural, and humanitarian issues, as well as international cooperation. Seven academic sessions featured more than 20 research papers covering the development of correctional and rehabilitation systems, the rights of persons deprived of their liberty, alternatives to custodial sentences, judicial oversight, social reintegration, modern penal policies, and international cooperation in the field of justice and reform.
Recommendations for Developing the Justice and Reform System
The conference concluded with a set of academic and legal recommendations calling for comprehensive legislative and institutional reforms and a review of national laws governing correctional and rehabilitation institutions to ensure their alignment with relevant international and regional conventions and standards.
The recommendations called for the wider use of alternatives to custodial sentences, the integration of restorative justice mechanisms into the penal system, and the establishment of a sentence enforcement judge with the powers necessary to oversee the legality of placements in correctional institutions and help reduce prison overcrowding.
The conference also recommended activating a conditional release system for convicted persons who meet the applicable requirements and recognising the State’s responsibility to compensate individuals harmed by unlawful deprivation of liberty or the inhuman treatment of detainees, while simplifying procedures for claiming compensation.
The recommendations further included the institutionalisation of restorative justice, the strengthening of post-release support and social reintegration programmes, and the establishment of specialised academic institutions to educate and train personnel working in correctional institutions.
The conference’s scientific committee called for strengthening the role of the National Committee for Monitoring Correctional Institutions, ensuring the continuity of its work, and expanding its mandate to cover all places of deprivation of liberty without exception. It also recommended supporting the Judicial Police and enabling it to exercise its mandate over all places of deprivation of liberty, while placing it under the authority of the Supreme Judicial Council.
The Commission’s participation in the conference forms part of its efforts to strengthen its presence in international and regional forums and exchange expertise and good practices with relevant institutions and stakeholders. These efforts contribute to upholding the rule of law, limiting the excessive use of pretrial detention, and protecting the rights and human dignity of persons deprived of their liberty.
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