LWPP Statement: Condemnation of the Murder of Content Creator Khansa Mujahid

The Libyan Women's Platform for Peace (LWPP) expresses its strong condemnation of the murder of content creator Khansa Mohammed Abdul-Majid Mujahid, who was shot in the Janzour area of Tripoli on Saturday, coinciding with two incidents of domestic violence resulting in murder. These events reflect the increasing violence against women both during and after conflict, and the general deterioration of the situation, with a lack of preventive mechanisms, early warning systems, and protective measures. This serves as a severe warning about the escalating extremism against women in our country.

This incident, which has shaken public opinion, highlights the rising violations targeting women, especially activists, media figures, and those engaged in public affairs.

■ Context
Conditions in Libya continue to deteriorate, with women suffering from severe violations that hinder their active participation in society. This is amid ongoing political divisions, armed confrontations, and the growing influence of militias and criminal gangs in recent years, leading to an increase in violence against women in Libya.

Women in Libya face serious violations such as harassment, severe harm, enforced disappearances, and unlawful detention, where they are subjected to torture in secret prisons, resulting in some deaths.

The rates of violence in the country have risen due to political instability, with women being the most vulnerable group, facing violations from security forces and militias in an environment lacking safety and legal deterrence.

Since the assassination of Salwa Bugaighis in June 2014, through similar cases like Fariha al-Berkawi, who was murdered in Derna in July 2014, and Intisar Al-Husayri, who was killed in Tripoli in February 2015, to journalist Nasib Kurnafa, who was assassinated in Sebha in May 2014, and lawyer Hanan Al-Barasi, who was killed in Benghazi in November 2020. Additionally, MP Sihem Sirguwa was forcibly disappeared from her home in Benghazi in July 2019. A culture of impunity has been perpetuated, causing many women activists to withdraw from public life or flee the country.

■ Obligations of the Libyan State
Despite Libya's accession to many international treaties affirming human rights, including the "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women," actual commitment remains absent. There is an urgent need to implement legislation and practical mechanisms to ensure women's rights and protection. 

The Libyan Women’s Platform holds the Transitional Government of National Unity responsible for aborting the first attempt to establish a national plan for the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in 2021, when it criminalized this agenda and referred the Minister of Women's Affairs for investigation due to signing a memorandum of understanding with UN Women. 

We also condemn the United Nations Support Mission in Libya’s neglect and its alignment with practices that have undermined Libyan women's gains, as it has neither condemned the matter nor demanded that Libyan authorities fulfill their obligation to establish a national plan for this agenda.

The Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace calls on the House of Representatives to uphold its national and legislative responsibility and to expedite the adoption of the Law on the Protection of Women from Violence in all its forms. It also urges the provision of the legal and institutional frameworks necessary to implement this law, in a way that strengthens the protection of women and girls and puts an end to the culture of impunity.

These series of crimes are a natural outcome of the absence of a comprehensive system for protecting women and the lack of early warning and preventive measures.

■ Call to Action
We urge all stakeholders, from national authorities to international institutions, to take immediate and decisive steps to combat violence against women in Libya. Collective action is required as follows:

1. Immediate Justice: Conduct swift and thorough investigations into all cases of violence against women, holding perpetrators accountable firmly.

2. Legislative Action: Enact laws that enhance protections for women from violence, including legislation against domestic violence with clear reporting mechanisms and effective protection measures. This legislation should address extortion, intimidation, and political violence to safeguard women activists in public life, ensuring their physical and psychological safety.

3. Reinstate the Hotline Service: Assist victims of violence in reporting their cases and providing support.

4. Enhance Data Collection: Periodically improve data collection related to violence against women and girls.

5. Activate Support Mechanisms: Establish psychological and social support centers for women victims, offering legal and psychological assistance and counseling services.

6. Awareness and Education: Organize community awareness campaigns focusing on women's rights and the importance of ending violence, in partnership with media and education institutions.

7. Develop Institutional Capacities: Train law enforcement and justice personnel on how to effectively and sensitively handle cases of violence against women.

8. Strengthen Civil Society's Role: Encourage NGOs and community initiatives to participate in efforts to protect women's rights and support victims of violence.

9. Create a Comprehensive National Plan: Develop and implement a national plan that ensures the integration of women's rights issues into public policy, providing the necessary resources for execution.

10. Monitor and Evaluate Performance: Establish mechanisms to monitor and evaluate progress in protecting women, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.

 ■ Conclusion
We reaffirm that women's safety is non-negotiable, and all national authorities and international entities must assume their responsibilities. A comprehensive approach must be taken that transcends statements and condemnations to serious and tangible actions to protect women. There can be no empowerment or true participation without protection, and no protection without ending impunity. Silence at the expense of women's bodies and lives is unacceptable.

___________

#InternationalDayforEliminationofViolenceAgainstWomen
#OrangetheWorld
#Libya
#16days
#EndViolenceAgainstWomen