A/HRC/28/51 18. The escalation in violence in 2014 also increased the number of persons deprived of their liberty by armed groups. In addition to fighters belonging to rival armed groups, UNSMIL/OHCHR received reports of civilians being abducted solely for their actual or suspected tribal, family, political or religious affiliation and nationality. A significant proportion of victims interviewed by UNSMIL/OHCHR reported that they had been subjected to torture and other ill-treatment during abduction. People abducted have been either unlawfully detained in official detention facilities or in makeshift facilities which are not officially recognized. Many people remain missing since the time of their abduction. 19. In western Libya, abductions were carried out by armed groups belonging to or allied with Libya Dawn, as well as those from Warshafana and Zintan. Libya Dawn fighters have continued to search for and abduct people, following their takeover of Tripoli. Armed groups from Zintan and Warshafana abducted travellers and other people from Gheryan, Misrata, Nalut, Tripoli and Al-Zawiya. Many were held in captivity until they were exchanged for other abductees. 20. In eastern Libya, armed groups affiliated with Operation Dignity abducted dozens of men in areas under their control, including on the basis of their political affiliation or nationality. Some of those abducted were allegedly tortured in several detention centres before being taken to Gernada prison near Al-Baida. In October 2014, the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council moved over 130 inmates from Buhdeima military prison to an unknown destination and stated that they were going to be tried in accordance with sharia. B. 1. Groups in focus Women 21. There were numerous incidents of violence against women during 2014. In the leadup to the February 2014 elections for the Constitution Drafting Assembly, UNSMIL/OHCHR received reports of threats and attacks against female candidates, which contributed to their reluctance to run for election, and staff observed posters of female candidates being torn down. On 25 June, prominent human rights defender Salwa Bughaigis was shot dead in her Benghazi residence, after casting her vote in elections for the House of Representatives. On 17 July, former member of the General National Congress Fariha Barkawi was assassinated in Derna. 22. Several women activists reported that they had been pressured to abandon their public roles. One human rights defender reported that she had received several telephone calls from armed groups warning that if she continued writing about women’s rights, she and her children would be killed. She and her family have since left the country. Another human rights defender and lawyer who had taken part in a public debate on women’s rights received anonymous telephone calls and text messages warning her that she would be abducted and killed. 23. Libyan women also face discrimination in personal status and other matters, such as polygamy, prohibition to travel without a male guardian and the inability to pass on their nationality to their children or spouses. Civil society activists have raised these as key issues to be addressed in the constitution drafting process. 24. UNSMIL is in regular contact with women’s rights defenders and has organized several workshops to build their capacity. UNSMIL has also provided technical advice to strengthen women’s participation in areas such as the political process and constitution drafting. 6