The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called on Wednesday for the release of political activist Al-Mahdi Abdulati, who was subjected to “arbitrary detention” in Misrata on March 18 by the Internal Security Agency.

It stated that this arrest and detention “appear to be in violation of Libyan laws and Libya’s international human rights obligations,” adding that the detention “is not an isolated incident but a recurrent pattern among security and law enforcement entities in the country” according to a statement.

The Mission called on Libya’s leaders and officials to “nurture an open civic space, where Libyans, including those expressing dissenting views, can safely engage in debate and dialogue exercising their right to freedom of expression.”

It also urged all Libyan authorities to “to end these abusive practices, release all those arbitrarily detained and ensure those responsible are held accountable.”