Thank you, Mr President.
I would also like to thank Deputy Special Representative and Chargé d'affaires Stephanie Koury and Ambassador Yamazaki for their presentations. I welcome the participation of the representative of Libya to this briefing.
The Presidency's focus on the women, peace and security agenda at today's meeting is very welcome. As Elham Saudi, Director of Lawyers for Justice in Libya, said in 2022: the aspirations of Libyans have remained the same for more than a decade: a desire for peace, a determination to achieve lasting reconciliation and a constitution that protects human rights. After all, these aspirations are quite natural and simple.
I would like to highlight three points today:
Firstly, Switzerland is following with concern the political, security and military developments of recent weeks in Libya. We've just heard a worrying description from the Deputy Special Representative. My country urges all parties to show restraint in order to avoid an escalation that would have disastrous consequences in Libya and in the region, including on the lives of women and girls. At the political, economic and financial level, we call on the main players to engage in dialogue and compromise. Although this is a complex task, we completely support UNSMIL in working with all parties to the conflicts to address the current challenges and we also encourage the rapid appointment of a new Special Representative. We call on all members of the international community to support UNSMIL in a consistent manner. On the security front, we echo the calls deploring the use of heavy projectiles and rockets by fighting groups in densely populated areas and remind all parties of their obligation to protect civilians at all times. Actions that are likely to increase tensions, undermine confidence and further entrench institutional divisions and discord among Libyans must stop.
Secondly, Switzerland remains convinced that it is crucial to organise free, transparent and inclusive elections. An elected government and unified institutions are prerequisites for the consolidation of stability and economic growth. We reiterate that a successful electoral process must guarantee the participation of women; both at municipal and national level. And we deplore the fact that civic space continues to be restricted by both repressive laws and decrees. In this respect, we are particularly concerned about the targeting of politically active women in Libya. All too often, they are silenced as a result of harassment, online and offline hate campaigns and arbitrary detention. This is why Switzerland is contributing to the development of Libya's justice sector, including in the area of sexual and gender-based violence.
Thirdly, on the humanitarian front, recent developments are worrying. The humanitarian situation in Libya is already fragile, and it is becoming even more complex with the deteriorating security situation in Sudan. Sudanese refugees in southern Libya face many challenges. Women, in particular, face a dire situation. Reports of human trafficking, exploitation and sexual violence are increasingly worrying. We are also concerned about the humanitarian impact of natural disasters in south-west Libya. In particular, humanitarian access is essential for the 5,800 people who have been displaced in the towns of Ghat and Tahala after heavy rains, which caused flooding.
Mr President,
While the parties to the conflict struggle for power, the civilian population is suffering the worst consequences. There is still a long way to go to establish peace, reconciliation and the protection of human rights, in Libya as elsewhere. Switzerland, alongside its partners such as the UN and civil society, will continue its efforts in Libya to achieve this goal.
Thank you.