At the kind invitation of the National Council for Public Liberties and Human Rights – Benghazi, the Center for International Humanitarian Law in Libya participated in the First International Conference on Justice and Reform, hosted by the city of Benghazi from July 28–30, 2026, under the theme:
“A National Vision for Establishing the Rule of Law and Protecting Rights and Freedoms.”
The conference witnessed broad participation from judges, members of the Public Prosecution, academics, experts, researchers, and those interested in legal affairs. Its aim was to assess the current state of correctional institutions in Libya, review efforts to develop them, exchange international experiences and best practices, and strengthen cooperation and partnerships among relevant stakeholders at the local, regional, and international levels.
Over three days, the conference addressed four main themes across seven scientific sessions, during which more than 20 research papers were presented, covering a number of important issues, most notably:
Developing the Reform and Rehabilitation System.
Protecting the Rights of Inmates.
Alternatives to Imprisonment.
Judicial Oversight of the Implementation of Sentences.
Social Reintegration of Released Inmates.
Modern Penal Policies.
International Cooperation in Justice and Reform.
Key Conference Recommendations:
Reforming the legislative and institutional framework to align with international standards.
Expanding the application of alternatives to custodial sentences and strengthening restorative justice.
Establishing a system of judges responsible for sentence enforcement to reduce overcrowding in correctional facilities.
Activating the parole system in accordance with legal regulations.
Recognizing the right to compensation for unlawful deprivation of liberty or inhumane treatment.
Strengthening aftercare and social reintegration programs for released inmates.
Establishing specialized academic institutions to qualify and train staff working in correctional facilities.
Supporting the National Committee for Monitoring Correctional Institutions and expanding its mandate.
Empowering the Judicial Police with full jurisdiction over places of detention and linking its affiliation to the Supreme Judicial Council.
Strengthening the rule of law, protecting human rights, supporting national reconciliation, and achieving sustainable development. 
Benghazi Declaration
The Benghazi Declaration, issued by the conference, affirmed several important outcomes, most notably:
Completing the procedures for Libya’s accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.
Updating legislation governing penalties, criminal procedures, and correctional and rehabilitation institutions.
Adopting alternatives to custodial sentences to reduce overcrowding in correctional facilities.
Establishing an independent national observatory and a permanent body to monitor conditions in places of detention, with the issuance of periodic national reports.
Developing mandatory training and rehabilitation programs for correctional facility staff to ensure the preservation of human dignity and respect for the rights of inmates.
The Center for International Humanitarian Law in Libya affirms its commitment to continuing to contribute to supporting national initiatives aimed at developing the justice and reform system, consolidating the rule of law, and promoting respect for human rights in accordance with national and international standards.
