Foreign Ministers and leaders from the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the European Union and NATO are gathering today in Rome, Italy, to discuss further measures needed to intensify international efforts aimed at protecting the civilians in Libya and to help finding a lasting political solution to the crisis, restoring peace and security in the whole Region.
Statement by Alison Smith, Legal Counsel of No Peace Without Justice:
“No Peace Without Justice and the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty urge the international community to provide their full and complete support to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its mandate to ensure accountability for all alleged violations of international criminal law committed in Libya.
“As reported yesterday by the ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo to the UN Security Council, the ongoing investigation into Libya’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators has found credible evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the civilian population by forces loyal to embattled leader Moammar Gadhafi.
“Considering that news of potential serious crimes in Libya continue to emerge, NPWJ and the NRPTT call on all States, particularly the members of the Contact Group, and concerned regional and other international organisations to cooperate fully with the ICC to enable the Court to further its investigations, including by facilitating collection and preservation of information and evidence from all relevant sources within and outside the country. It is critical that there is consistent reinforcement of the message that those responsible for the crimes committed will be under increased scrutiny and held accountable in a court of law, be it the International Criminal Court or otherwise.
“With its unanimous decision to refer the situation in Libya to the ICC, the Security Council has begun to uphold its responsibility to protect the people of Libya by sending a clear message to its tyrannical leader that impunity is no longer an option. But until the violence ends, the international community must continue to exert pressure on the Gadhaffi regime, using every available method and means and maintain justice and accountability as central elements of any political settlement to be reached.
“It must do so for the people of Libya and also for the people of the region, whose long-awaited dream of living in democratic societies in full respect for the rule of law and human rights is finally coming to life. The international community owes it to them to ensure that the actions of one tyrant do not to quell their thirst for democracy and human rights region through force, violence and fear.”
For further information, please contact Alison Smith, phone +32 2 548 39 12, email asmith@npwj.org or Nicola Giovannini, phone +32-2-548-3915, email ngiovannini@npwj.org.
