Libya Crimes Watch (LCW) has been closely following the announcement issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 12 May 2025, confirming that the Government of National Unity (GNU) has formally accepted the ICC’s jurisdiction under Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute. This provision allows non-State Parties to voluntarily accept the ICC’s jurisdiction over specific time periods or subject matters. The declaration concerns alleged crimes committed on Libyan territory between 2011 and 2027.
Ali Omar, Director of LCW, stated:
“While we welcome, in principle, any initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation with the ICC, such a declaration holds little substantive value unless it is followed by the surrender of individuals subject to arrest warrants. As long as grave human rights violations persist and impunity remains entrenched, claims of genuine commitment by authorities in the east and west Libya ring hollow”.
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