21/05/2026
This afternoon, the confirmation of charges hearing against came to an end at the in The Hague.
For survivors, victims, and many of those who have followed the Libya situation for years, these past days were difficult to describe.
We began this week with a commemorative stand in front of the Court — in memory of those who were murdered, disappeared, tortured, enslaved, r***d, or silenced within Libya’s detention system and across the Mediterranean Sea.
We entered the courtroom carrying them with us and will always do.
What we witnessed throughout these days were moments many survivors thought would never come: seeing crimes committed against Black Africans, migrants, refugees, and Libyans spoken inside a courtroom of international justice.
Particularly for us, the inclusion and focus enslavement sailed us through historical and emotional weight words can barely contain.
Now, what’s next?
The judges will have 60 days to review and evaluate the evidence that the Prosecution provided to the Court, as well as what the defence of El-Hishri brought forward, before announcing the next steps.
So far, here are the possible outcomes:
1. To confirm some or all of the charges and send the case to trial,
2. To ask the Prosecution for more evidence or to amend the charges,
3. Or to decline to confirm the charges.
If the charges are declined, the arrest warrant will no longer have effect, and the judges will give orders on the next steps.
The Prosecution could still bring the same charges against Mr El-Hishri later if supported by additional evidence.
But our demands remain clear:
Justice cannot stop at one individual while ignoring the broader systems that enabled these crimes.
We therefore continue to call for broader accountability, including investigations into all EU and non EU actors, institutions, corporations, and governments that contributed to enabling these crimes.
Our gratitude goes to all survivors, comrades, organizations, lawyers, and supporters who stood with us throughout these historic days.
And special thanks to , whose photographs captured some of those moments.
Art 🖼️ by
