Mass Atrocities in Libya
After a week of protests calling for the overthrow of Libyan head of state Muammar al-Qaddafi, events in Libya have taken a dramatic turn in scale and violence. Multiple Libyan ambassadors abroad and members of the Libyan armed forces have defected in the past few days, citing top-level orders that the Libyan military put down the protestors with lethal force. Reports suggest that aircraft have been mobilized to fire on the protestors and that casualties are likely to be in the hundreds if not more.
Given credible reports of targetted violence against civilians, the newly merged Genocide Intervention Network/Save Darfur Coalition has called on the United States, United Nations, and other world leaders to embrace their responsibility to protect Libyan citizens. GI-NET/SDC is urging the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to authorize the following actions:
- Freezing of assets of top Libyan officials and the Qaddafi family;
- Referral of the situation in Libya to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court;
- Creation of a mandatory Libya Recovery Fund into which all revenues from Libyan oil exports would be paid;
- Establishment of a no-fly zone by willing countries, with the express aim of preventing continued operation of Libyan military aircraft if attacks against civilians continue
Take Action Now by sending a letter asking for these four actions to UN Ambassador Susan Rice.
For more information on GI-NET/SDC's position and actions with regard to Libya, please view this press release.
