In its latest briefing, the Victims’ Rights Working Group (VRWG) reflects on the lessons from the El Hishri Confirmation of Charges Hearing, to strengthen victim participation, accessibility, and survivor engagement in future proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC). 4 November 2026. Held from 19 to 21 May 2026, the confirmation of charges hearing against Khaled Mohammed Ali El Hishri in the Libya situation marked an important procedural milestone before the ICC, as the first case resulting from the ICC’s 15-year investigation into Libya to reach this phase. Following the hearing, on 16 July 2026, Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously confirmed all 17 charges against El Hishri and committed the case to trial.
Survivor Testimony and Hope
” Seeing Khaled El Hishri standing before the judges of the International Criminal Court restored our hope. Justice has been lost in Libya; the courts have come to serve the interests of militias, and power belongs to those who carry weapons rather than to the law. El Hishri’s appearance before the Court at the confirmation of charges hearing brought relief to our hearts. We are waiting to see him tried for all the crimes he committed and to recover our rights. On behalf of myself and those who shared this suffering with me, including my companions who remain in the cells of Mitiga Prison and those who lost their lives as a result of torture, I say that the Court represents our last hope. It also sends a message to those who continue to commit crimes that the hand of justice will reach them too, even if it takes time. ” said about the hearing Nidal, a survivor of Mitiga prison , whose name was changed to protect the survivor’s identity and safety.
Collaborative Recommendations
In this context, the Victims’ Rights Working Group (VRWG), with Libya Crimes Watch , Lawyers for Justice in Libya (a working name of Route Justice), Refugees in Libya and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) have prepared this briefing note to contribute to more accessible and inclusive proceedings at the ICC, and ensure they are responsive to the experiences and needs of victims. The recommendations draw on direct observations during the El Hishri confirmation of charges hearing, consultations with victims and survivors present at or otherwise engaged in the hearing, and exchanges with Libyan and international CSOs before, during and after the proceedings.
The briefing focuses on the experience of affected communities engaging with and attending proceedings at the seat of the Court. The recommendations do not seek to assess the merits of the criminal case, but to identify practical measures through which future ICC proceedings can become safer, more accessible and more responsive to victims and survivors. Read the briefing here . About the Victims’ Rights Working Group (VRWG) The VRWG is a network of 181 civil society organisations working to uphold the rights and interests of victims in International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings. Co-led by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), REDRESS and the Coalition for the ICC , the VRWG was reconvened in 2024 to renew its engagement on victims’ rights at the ICC, including contributing to the Court’s review of its 2012 Victims’ Strategy.
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
