The National Commission for Human Rights in Libya has strongly condemned the constraints on press and media outlets as well as on civil societies in Benghazi, Al-Bayda, Tobruk and Derna.

In a statement on Tuesday, The NCHR said targeting journalists and the tightening the grip on the freedoms of media outlets in the eastern region are crimes against humanity and violations of the international conventions pertaining to human rights, civil rights, cultural, and political rights.

“We are deeply concerned about reports of abduction and forced disappearance of the journalist, Faraj Bu Aisha, who works in Benghazi. He was abducted days ago by an unknown armed group.” The statement reads.

Bu Aisha worked in many media outlets like Al-Sanabel TV Channel, Radio Zain, and Al-Manar TV Channel. He is still illegally detained without knowing the identity of his kidnappers.

The statement also mentioned a number of abductions and forced disappearances of media figures and journalists in the eastern region, including Malik Shararda who was kidnapped on December 04 in Labreg Airport coming from Jordan. He works for Jordan-based Libya Channel. He was released 48 hours later.

The statement also referred to the shutdown of Al-Wasat FM in Tobruk last week by unidentified people and the arrest of the civil activist, Faraj Ben Saoud, by Benghazi Criminal Investigation Bureau on November 13 without clear reasons for the arrest.

“We call on all those involved in these crimes against freedom of journalists as well as civil societies activists to stop their violation of the human rights conventions and to immediately released the journalists and activists in custody without preconditions.” The NCHR added.

It also stressed in the statement that it blames the security departments in Al-Bayda, Benghazi, and Tobruk for those crimes and violations.