ILC114 - EU Statement - Committee on Application of Standards - Libya C.105
International Labour Conference
114th Session
Geneva, 5 June 2026
Committee on the Application of Standards
Libya
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No.105)
Thank you, Chair.
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Republic of Moldova, the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as the United Kingdom align themselves with this statement.
The EU and its Member States are committed to the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights, including labour rights. We promote universal ratification and effective implementation of fundamental ILO Conventions and support the ILO supervisory system in its crucial role of promoting and supervising the application of ratified standards.
We remain seriously concerned by the human rights situation in Libya, in particular the restrictions on fundamental rights and liberties, including freedom of expression. In line with the Committee of Experts, we urge the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that no prison sentences involving compulsory labour are imposed on persons who, without having recourse to violence, express political opinions or views opposed to the established political, social or economic system.
We call on the Government to bring the provisions of Publications Act No. 76 of 1972 into conformity with Convention No.105, and to provide specific information on the application in practice of these provisions, including the number of cases prosecuted, convictions brought, the facts that led to these convictions, and the penalties applied.
In regard to the Anti-Cybercrime Law of 2022, we urge the Government to ensure that no one who expresses political opinions, including dissenting opinions, or any views through the internet or any other technological tool, can be sentenced to imprisonment, and compulsory labour, as enshrined in Convention No.105.
We call on the Government to take measures to amend the provisions of the Anti-Cybercrime Law in a way that will restrict their scope and prevent any interpretation in its application that could lead to the imposition of a penalty involving compulsory work on persons who express political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system.
We note with interest the written information provided by the Government stating that the provisions contained in the Penal Code, the Publications of Act No.76 of 1972 and the Anti-Cybercrime Law of 2022 are subject to thorough legal review to remove ambiguities and ensure clarity so that no interpretation may result in the imposition of forced labour on persons peacefully expressing political or intellectual opinions. In the interim and while awaiting the outcome of the legislative process we recommend to implement executive orders to ascertain the protection from forced labour.We encourage the Government to translate its commitment into action, in full conformity with fundamental Convention n°105 and to continue its cooperation with the ILO.
The EU and its Member States will follow the situation closely and remain ready to support efforts aimed at ensuring compliance with international labour standards and the abolition of forced and compulsory labour.
Thank you, Chair.
- ^ North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.