• Press Release

Libya: Amnesty International Calls on U.N. Security Council to Direct Possible ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ Investigation of Libya

March 27, 2011

Amnesty International Press Release
For Immediate Release
Friday, February 25, 2011

Amnesty International Calls on U.N. Security Council To Direct Possible ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ Investigation of Libya

Urges Immediate Action by U.N. to Stop Abuses in Libya

Contact: Suzanne Trimel, 212-633-4150, [email protected]

(London) — Amnesty International said today the International Criminal Court should be directed by the U.N. Security Council to open an investigation into possible crimes against humanity by Libyan Colonel Al-Gaddafi for unleashing a military assault on Libyan civilians.

Ahead of an emergency meeting by the U.N. Security Council in New York Friday, Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty said: "Members of the Security Council must act now to stop the outrageous abuses taking place on the streets of Tripoli and elsewhere in Libya. Colonel al-Gaddafi and his chain of command have to understand they will answer for their actions. They need to see that investigation and prosecution are a reality they will face."

Shetty said: "This should act as a wake-up call to those issuing the orders and those who carry them out: your crimes will not go unpunished."

The organization repeated its call to the Security Council to immediately impose an arms embargo on Libya to prevent the transfer of equipment and personnel, and to implement an asset freeze against Colonel al-Gaddafi, those associated with him, and anyone else perpetrating human rights abuses in Libya.

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

For more information, please visit: https://www.amnestyusa.org