The Human Rights Council held its interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Libya on 9th March 2012.

Philippe Kirsch, Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry opened the dialogue with his presentation of the Commission’s report. Mr Kirsch confirmed in his opening statement that the human rights violations perpetrated by Qadhafi forces amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In addition, he stated that the Thuwar (anti-Qadhafi forces) had also committed serious human rights violations that constituted war crimes and breaches of international human rights law were continuing.

He confirmed that NATO had taken extensive precautions in its operations to ensure civilians were not endangered. However, there were limited civilian casualties, and the Commission of Inquiry had been unable to conclude whether all necessary precautions had been taken to protect civilians. During the interactive dialogue Cuba, Venezuela and the Russian Federation strongly condemned the NATO intervention, suggesting that it was in fact a campaign to ‘overthrow the regime’.

The Commission of Inquiry recognised the challenges that lie ahead for the new Libyan government in rebuilding its infrastructure after 40 years of serious human rights violations. Mr Kirsch emphasised that the interim Government must concentrate on restoring the judicial system and hold those to account, irrespective of the perpetrator, for human rights violations committed. In addition, Mr Kirsch highlighted to the Council the considerable support that the transitional government will need from the international community and the United Nations.

Speaking as the concerned country, the Deputy Minister of Justice for Libya said that the Libyan authorities had ‘worked around the clock’ to support the Commission of Inquiry and had responded positively to the requests of the Commission. However, he hinted that there had not been enough time to study the final report, commenting that the report is very long and only available in English. In addition, he pointed to failings in the report such as a failure to ‘shed light on the attacks of those that committed the most heinous crimes on the Libyan people’ and that ‘placing the acts of the executioner on an even footing with the reactions of the victims was not logical’.

He also emphasised that the root cause behind disputes between the people of Misrata and Tawerghar had not been explained in the report and said that the old regime ‘had tricked them into hating each other’. In his concluding statement, Mr Kirsch responded to Libya’s concerns that the report was placing ‘victim’ actions on an equal footing with the crimes of the ousted regime by explaining that this report was a supplement to an earlier report that had dealt more fully with the actions of the Qadhafi regime.

He went on to say that the Government of Libya will hold every person accountable for their crimes, that the Government condemns acts of revenge and that it is committed to fair and effective justice.

Key issues that were raised time and again during the interactive dialogue were those of accountability and restoring a functioning judiciary. Participating States were keen to see a commitment to hold all perpetrators to account for human rights violations committed, to see the interim Government bring an end to continued human rights violations and to see an end to arbitrary detention by bringing all detainees under a central governmental control.[1]

The involvement of NATO came under fire with strong condemnation by Cuba, Venezuela and the Russian Federation. In its condemnation, Cuba accused NATO of ‘criminal aggression’ and stated that the real motivation was to gain control of the oil and water reserves in Libya. Venezuela accused NATO action of leading to the deaths of thousands of people in Libya and suggested that the main goal was that of the ‘assassination’ of Muammar Qadhafi. The Russian Federation criticised the Commission of Inquiry for not investigating further the deaths of Muammar Qadhafi and Mutasssim Qadhafi. In addition, the delegation accused NATO of supporting a campaign to overthrow the regime. In contrast, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA welcomed the Commission of Inquiry’s conclusions that NATO had conducted a highly precise campaign with a determination to avoid civilian casualties. Others, including Malaysia, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International called for further investigations into the deaths of civilians.

States generally acknowledged the enormous challenges ahead and extended support to the Libyan government. States such as Indonesia, UK, Czech Republic and the European Union asked how the international community could effectively give assistance to Libya. Responding, Mr Kirsch stated that there is much Libya could do by itself, however external assistance would be useful in the reconstruction of the judicial system and that governmental ministers of Libya were requesting assistance with training in various areas. He added that once the government decided on the support it requires, the whole of the UN system would be available to enter into a dialogue.

Amat JENG http://www.mediarevolution-amat.blogspot.com/

Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC issues three warrants of arrest for Muammar Gaddafi, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdualla Al-Senussi

27 June 2011 – The International Criminal Court (ICC) today issued arrest warrants for Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi, one of his sons and the country’s intelligence chief for crimes against humanity allegedly committed since the pro-democracy movement began in February.

Hundreds of people are confirmed to have been killed since opposition forces rose up against the regime of Mr. Qadhafi in February as part of a wider pro-democracy movement across North Africa and the Middle East.

Earlier this month, the Court’s Prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, told reporters that his office had gathered direct evidence detailing the orders issued by Mr. Qadhafi, the role of his son Saif al-Islam Qadhafi in recruiting mercenaries, and the participation of the head of the Libya’s intelligence forces, Abdullah Al Sanousi, in attacks against protesters.

The Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber considered that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that the three suspects committed the alleged crimes and that their arrests appear necessary to ensure their appearances before the ICC, it stated in a news release.

Their arrests are also necessary to ensure that they do not continue to obstruct and endanger the Court’s investigations, and to prevent them from using their powers to continue the commission of crimes within its jurisdiction, the Court added.

Libya is not a State party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC. However, the situation in the North African nation was referred to the Court in February by the Security Council, which adopted a resolution the following month calling on Member States to take “all necessary measures” to protect civilians amid the regime’s violent crackdown against its own people.

Updating the Council on the current situation in Libya, UN political chief B. Lynn Pascoe said resolutions 1970 (February) and 1973 (March) are clear.

“We have an obligation to protect the people of Libya and that is the goal of the current international efforts. We must ensure that the basic rights and freedoms of the Libyan people are fully respected and protected and that their legitimate aspirations are met,” he stated.

Mr. Pascoe, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, added that the UN is concerned about all reports of civilian casualties, whether resulting from the regime’s violence or from military actions by opposition forces or NATO, and that the Secretary-General has emphasized that every effort must be made to avoid exposing civilians to risk.

He also expressed gratitude for the Council’s support for the efforts of Special Envoy Abdul Elah al-Khatib as he works with the parties on a political solution that will end the violence in Libya, allow the UN and its partners to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need and meet the legitimate aspirations of the people of Libya.

“While an agreement is still far from being concluded, the beginnings of a negotiation process are now under way. The nascent negotiation process must be given space to grow and bear fruit. It is important for the international community to deliver a consistent, clear and coherent message on a political solution to both parties,” said Mr. Pascoe.

Mr. al-Khatib is in South Africa today conferring with President Jacob Zuma, following which he will accompany Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to attend the African Union summit.

“He continues to be in close contact with both parties. He is trying to narrow the differences between the two parties and to start indirect talks,” Mr. Pascoe stated. “Discussions revolved around the need to end hostilities; agree on a transitional arrangement that is linked to a political process, as well as facilitate safe humanitarian access.”

On the humanitarian front, Mr. Pascoe reported that as of 23 June, more than 1.1 million people had crossed the borders from Libya to Tunisia, Egypt, Niger, Algeria, Chad and Sudan. UN agencies have been able to access more areas inside the country, largely due to an agreement that was reached with the Libyan authorities in April to provide security and other necessary arrangements for humanitarian efforts.

Source: UN.org

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25 mai 2011 – Le Secrétaire général de l’ONU, Ban Ki-moon, a eu mardi soir une conversation téléphonique avec le Premier ministre libyen, Al Baghdadi Ali Al-Mahmoudi, à qui il a répété qu’un cessez-le-feu immédiat était nécessaire, ainsi que des négociations sérieuses pour entamer une transition vers un gouvernement qui réponde pleinement aux aspirations du peuple de Libye.

Ban Ki-moon a précisé au Premier ministre que son Envoyé spécial, Abdul Ilah Khatib, avait eu des discussions avec l’opposition depuis sa visite à Tripoli la semaine dernière et qu’il serait bientôt de nouveau dans la capitale libyenne, a indiqué le porte-parole du Secrétaire général de l’ONU.

Selon Ban Ki-moon, M. Al-Mahmoudi a exprimé de nouveau sa profonde préoccupation concernant la campagne de frappes aériennes en Libye par une coalition de pays.

La Libye connaît depuis février des affrontements meurtriers entre les forces loyales au dirigeant libyen Mouammar Qadhafi et celles soutenant l’opposition, dont le fief est la ville de Benghazi, dans l’Est du pays. Des centaines de personnes ont été tuées et des centaines de milliers d’autres ont été déplacées ou ont dû s’enfuir dans les pays voisins.

Le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU a adopté en mars une résolution qui appelle à un cessez-le-feu immédiat et autorise les Etats membres des Nations Unies à prendre « toutes les mesures nécessaires » pour protéger les civils en Libye. Peu après l’adoption de cette résolution, des pays ont lancé une campagne de bombardements visant les installations militaires en Libye qui sont considérées comme une menace pour la sûreté des civils.

Source: UN.org

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This woman and her children are happy to be out of Misrata, Libya

28 April 2011 – Unless a major effort is undertaken to replenish food stocks in Libya the country is at risk of a major food crisis within the next two months, a senior United Nations official warned today.

Daly Belgasami of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that the disruption of port activities, coupled with the lack of fuel and hard currency, is making it difficult for the country to import enough food.

“We are really concerned about the food security of the population,” Mr. Belgasami, WFP’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, told a news conference in Geneva, stressing the need to immediately increase the flow of commercial goods.

He said an assessment team found that the population is at risk of “full-blown food security crisis” within 45 days or 60 days if steps are not taken to immediately increase the flow of commercial goods.

“We need to replenish stocks of food and inputs for local production, especially animal feed, and maintain social safety nets, including food distribution,” he stated.

There are some 2.5 million third-country nationals in Libya, some 500,000 of whom have already left the country amid the fighting that erupted earlier this year between Government forces and rebels seeking the ouster of Colonel Muammar Qadhafi.

Mr. Belgasami noted that the departure of these foreigners has impacted heavily on everything inside Libya, including food supplies since many of them worked in food production such as in bakeries.

“The longer the conflict lasts, the more likely that the number of those in need of food assistance will increase,” WFP warned in a statement issued earlier this week.

The agency has embarked on a three-month, $42 million emergency operation that will provide food assistance to more than 1 million people in Libya and neighbouring countries. So far it has only received 50 per cent of those funds.

Overall, UN agencies and their partners are seeking $310 million to cover assistance for a three-month period in areas such as food security, nutrition, health care, water and sanitation, and shelter. Some $129 million has been received and $1.4 million pledged to date.

The fighting in Libya started out as protests against the Qadhafi regime, and is part of a broader pro-democracy movement across North Africa and the Middle East that has led to the downfall of long-standing regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.

In New York, members of the UN Security Council discussed the ongoing crisis in Libya and received an update today from Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe.

“We are dismayed with the situation,” Ambassador Néstor Osorio of Colombia, which holds the Council’s rotating monthly presidency, told reporters after the closed-door session. “We have not seen real steps towards a political solution.”

Noting the persistence of violence and the continuation of attacks by the Government on civilians, Council members renewed their call for a political solution and for the violence to stop, said Mr. Osorio.

The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Abdel Elah al-Khatib, is on his way to the rebel-held city of Benghazi. The Council hopes to hearing a briefing from him when he is back in New York next week, the President said.

UN.org

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18 April 2011 – United Nations envoys visiting Libya have reached an agreement with the authorities on setting up a humanitarian presence in the capital, Tripoli, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, while once again calling for an immediate end to the fighting that has taken a heavy toll on civilians.

Nearly half a million people have fled the country in recent weeks since fighting broke out between Government forces and rebels seeking the ouster of Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi. In addition, roughly 330,000 people have been internally displaced by the unrest which began earlier this year.

“It is absolutely necessary that Libyan authorities stop fighting, stop killing people,” Mr. Ban said during a joint press conference in Budapest with Hungarian President Pál Schmitt, reiterating that the first priority is to secure an immediate and effective ceasefire.

The second priority, he said, is to expand the UN’s humanitarian assistance to people in need.

The agreement to set up a humanitarian presence in Tripoli was reached during a visit yesterday to the capital by UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos and the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Abdel Elah al-Khatib. The UN has already established a humanitarian presence in the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Mr. Ban warned last week that, under the worst-case scenario, as many as 3.6 million people could eventually require humanitarian assistance, stressing the need to mobilize all means at the disposal of the international community, including military, to get aid to those who need it.

The UN and its partners have appealed for $310 to provide vital humanitarian assistance to those affected by the crisis in Libya. So far it has received 41 per cent of the needed funding.

The fighting in Libya started out as protests against the Qadhafi regime, and is part of a broader pro-democracy movement across North Africa and the Middle East that has led to the downfall of long-standing regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.

Source: UN.org

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Des réfugiés qui ont fui la Libye attendent une distribution alimentaire à la ville frontière de Sallum, en Egypte. UN.org

14 avril 2011 – En visite au Caire pour participer à une réunion du Groupe de contact sur la Libye, le Secrétaire général, Ban Ki-moon, a appelé jeudi la communauté internationale à redoubler d’efforts pour répondre à la crise humanitaire dans ce pays alors que les affrontements entre les insurgés et les forces loyales au Colonel Mouammar Qadhafi continuent.

« L’action internationale rapide et décisive a sauvé des milliers de vies. Nous avons une inquiétude immédiate : la détérioration de la situation humanitaire », a déclaré Ban Ki-moon dans un discours prononcé lors de cette réunion à laquelle participaient des représentants de la Ligue des Etats Arabes, de l’Union Africaine, de l’Organisation de la conférence islamique et de l’Union européenne.

« En Lybie la situation est grave. A Misrata, Brega et Zintan où les combats ont été particulièrement intenses, l’accès aux services de bases – la nourriture, l’eau potable et les soins de santé- a été dans une large mesure coupé », a-t-il ajouté.

Selon le Haut commissariat des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés (HCR), presque un demi-million de personnes ont quitté la Libye depuis le début du conflit.

« Nous sommes particulièrement inquiets sur la situation critique des personnes de pays tiers, dont la plupart sont des travailleurs migrants et des réfugiés piégés dans les zones de combats », a souligné le Chef de l’ONU.

La semaine dernière le Programme alimentaire mondial (PAM) a pu affréter un cargo chargé de nourriture et de matériel humanitaire. L’Organisation internationale des migrations (OIM) a évacué par bateau plus de 1.000 personnes provenant de pays tiers.

« Dans la plupart des parties du pays, les agences humanitaires n’ont pas été en mesure de sécuriser un passage sûr », a déploré Ban Ki-moon qui a par ailleurs souligné que les agences de l’ONU sur le terrain venaient de terminer une évaluation dans l’est de la Libye. « Des contacts pour effectuer une évaluation similaire à l’ouest du pays sont en train d’être pris », a-t-il précisé.

« Le 9 avril, les Nations Unies ont établi une présence internationale à Benghazi où les besoins humanitaires sont en train d’être évalués. Je vais établir une présence internationale à Tripoli aussi vite que possible », a dit Ban Ki-moon.

« J’ai également appelé les pays voisins à garder leurs frontières ouvertes afin d’accueillir les populations qui fuient les affrontements. Nous devons être prudents pour ne pas permettre qu’une grande concentration de réfugiés attende une évacuation le long des frontières, particulièrement étant donné la fragilité de la situation dans la région », a-t-il prévenu.

Le Secrétaire général a appelé la communauté internationale « à parler d’une seule voix » et « à continuer de travailler avec patience et détermination pour le peuple libyen ».

« Le monde nous regarde. Les attentes sont grandes », a-t-il conclu.

UN.org

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Meeting of the International Contact Group on Libya in Doha, Qatar on 13 April 2011. UN.org

14 April 2011 – While swift and decisive global action saved thousands of lives in Libya, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating and requires concerted efforts by the United Nations and the international community, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed today at a meeting in Egypt.

“Within Libya itself, the picture is especially grave,” Mr. Ban told the Cairo Conference on Libya, which he co-convened with the League of Arab States to discuss the ongoing fighting in the North African nation pitting Government forces against rebels seeking the ouster of Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi.

He reported that in the cities of Misrata, Brega and Zintan, where the fighting has been particularly intense, access to basic services and basic commodities such as food, water and health care has been largely cut off.

It is estimated that nearly half a million people have left Libya since the conflict began earlier this year. Many people remain stranded at camps and transit points in neighbouring countries.

Mr. Ban said he intends to establish an international presence in the capital, Tripoli, as soon as possible, and that UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos may visit the city in light of the dire situation.

“I have also called on all neighbouring countries to keep their borders open to receive those fleeing the conflict,” he said. “We must be careful not to allow large concentrations of refugees awaiting evacuation to build up along the border, particularly given the fragility of the situation in the region.”

The fighting in Libya started out as protests against the Qadhafi regime, and is part of a broader pro-democracy movement across North Africa and the Middle East that has led to the downfall of long-standing regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.

Stressing that early planning and preparations are essential, Mr. Ban said that, in tandem with its diplomatic efforts, the UN has launched a process of contingency planning to help the Libyan people rebuild their future.

“We must expect this work to span the full range of peacemaking, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction,” he stated. “This complex process will require a concerted effort from the United Nations. It is essential for the international community to remain engaged and united.

“We must continue to speak with one voice; we must continue to work with patience and determination in common cause on behalf of the Libyan people,” he said, echoing the comments he made to the meeting of the International Contact Group on Libya, which took place yesterday in Doha, Qatar.

Source: UN.org

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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefs the Security Council

A week after the Security Council authorized “all necessary measures” to protect civilians in Libya from Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi’s forces, speedy and decisive action by the world community remains crucial amid serious concerns of human rights abuses, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

“The international community has acted together to avert a potential larger-scale crisis. I expect the international community to continue to exercise full diligence in avoiding civilian casualties and collateral damage,” he told the 15-member body in a briefing requested by the resolution at the start of consultations on the air and missile strikes launched by several countries to enforce a no-fly zone and hit pro-Qadhafi forces besieging civilians in cities.

“Given the critical situation on the ground, it is imperative that we continue to act with speed and decision. The resolution places great responsibilities on the UN system. I assure you that we will work closely with Member States and regional organizations to coordinate a common, effective and timely response,” he said, citing the resolutions goal of stopping “the brutal campaign of violence by the Libyan regime against its own people.”

In a later encounter with journalists he stressed that the resolution was not aiming for regime change but to protect civilians “because Colonel Qadhafi has been killing his own people.” Among the “serious concerns” he cited were “arrests, disappearances, threats and incitement, including by Colonel Qadhafi on national television.”

Mr. Ban told the Council that although the Libyan authorities have repeatedly claimed to have instituted a ceasefire, there has been no evidence that that is the case.

“To the contrary, fierce battles have continued in or around the cities of Ajdabiya, Misratah and Zitan, among others. In short, there is no evidence that Libyan authorities have taken steps to carry out their obligations under Resolutions 1970 or 1973,” he said, referring to last week’s resolution and an earlier one calling for a ceasefire and full protection of civilians.

“We continue to have serious concerns… about the protection of civilians, abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, and the access of civilian populations to basic commodities and services in areas currently under siege.”

He detailed the recent visit to the North African country by Special Envoy for Libya Abdel Elah Al Khatib. In Tripoli, the capital, Libyan Foreign Minister Musa Kusa told Mr. Khatib the Government had been forced to act by perceived threats from Al-Qaida and Islamist terrorists, adding that it offered amnesty to rebels who laid down their arms and rebel forces should also be required to abide by any ceasefire.

In Tobruk, eastern Libya, Mr. Khatib met with the armed opposition, who reiterated their call for a ceasefire and lifting the siege by Government forces on some cities in rebel hands. “They also expressed deep concern about the hardships inflicted on the Libyan people and demanded an end to the use of tanks and heavy weaponry targeting civilians,” Mr. Ban said.

Yesterday Mr. Ban discussed with African Union Commission Chairperson Jean Ping cooperation between the UN and the regional organization on Libya, and tomorrow, Mr. Khatib will go to Addis Ababa for an AU meeting which representatives of both the Libyan Government and the opposition will attend in a bid to reach a ceasefire and political solution.

“My Special Envoy’s mission [to Libya] was too brief to reach definitive conclusions about the human rights situation, but they found many worrying signs, including threats and incitement against the armed opposition,” Mr. Ban said.

“Colonel Qadhafi’s threats were aired repeatedly on national television. Journalists continue to be arrested. Foreign reporters in Tripoli told the UN mission about the population’s general state of fear, tight control by the security services, and instances of arrest and disappearances.”

He noted that some 336,000 people have left or fled Libya since the beginning of the crisis, which began five weeks ago as mass protests by civilians seeking an end to Mr. Qadhafi’s 41-year rule, and there are also contingency plans to deal with possible new waves of migrants and refugees of up to 200,000 to 250,000. Meanwhile, the $160 million flash appeal to deal with the exodus and other aspects of the crisis is 63 per cent funded.

Mr. Ban, who was speaking to the Council on his return from a visit to Egypt and Tunisia, where largely peaceful mass protests led to the ousters of entrenched leaders in those countries before the eruption of violence in Libya, said that he was setting up an expert panel, as requested by the resolution, to monitor implementation of sanctions, which include an arms embargo and assets freeze on Libyan Government officials.

As also requested by the resolution, he noted that so far the United Kingdom, France, United States, Denmark, Canada, Italy, Qatar, Belgium, Norway, Spain and the United Arab Emirates have sent letters confirming their participation in the actions to protect Libyan civilians. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has also informed him of its decision to begin an alliance operation in support of the arms embargo.

In his encounter with journalists Mr. Ban described the sense of national pride he found everywhere he went in Egypt and Tunisia. “In the streets and at the highest levels of government, people were speaking the language of democracy, openness, freedom and human rights,” he said.

“The events in Egypt and Tunisia and across the Arab world represent the greatest opportunity for the evolution of democracy and human rights in a generation. It is vital that these transitions succeed,” he added, pledging to mobilize international aid, with special emphasis on socio-economic development.

“Egypt and Tunisia have achieved dramatic change with lightning speed. But now they are caught between spiralling expectations and reduced economic means. These emerging democracies need jobs, especially for the region’s highly educated young people, who are so optimistic about their future. They need to see the dividend of democracy.”

Also today, Mr. Ban discussed the situation in Libya, as well as in Yemen and Bahrain, with Moroccan Foreign Minister Tahib El Fassi Fihri in a meeting at UN Headquarters.

Source: UN.org

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Des manifestants à Bahreïn. UN.org

A l’issue d’une rencontre dimanche avec le chef de la Ligue des Etats arabes, Amre Moussa, au Caire, le Secrétaire général de l’ONU, Ban Ki-moon, a réitéré son appel aux dirigeants de la région à écouter les aspirations de leurs peuples. Ils ont notamment discuté de la situation en Egypte, en Libye, au Yémen et à Bahreïn.

« Les dirigeants doivent écouter les aspirations légitimes de leur peuple. Un dialogue ouvert et inclusif est crucial tout autant que le respect des droits de l’homme. Le peuple a envie de construire un société prospère, ouverte à tous, démocratique fondée sur l’état de droit », a déclaré Ban Ki-moon lors d’une conférence de presse après sa rencontre avec Amre Moussa.

« Les Nations Unies sont prête à aider dans toutes les situations à mettre un terme à la violence, à protéger les civils et à promouvoir les réformes nécessaires », a-t-il souligné avant d’ajouter qu’il était impératif concernant la Libye « que la communauté internationale continue de parler d’une seule voix afin de pleinement mettre en œuvre les résolutions ».

Samedi, le Secrétaire général avait déjà rencontré Amre Moussa à Paris en France lors d’un sommet international destiné à coordonner les plans pour appliquer les résolutions du Conseil de sécurité. Il a salué le soutient de la Ligue des Etats arabes à la résolution 1973 votée au Conseil de sécurité la semaine dernière autorisant la création d’une zone d’exclusion aérienne au dessus de la Libye afin de protéger les populations civiles.

« Grâce à ce fort engagement de la Ligue des Etats arabes, la communauté internationale a été en mesure de prendre les mesures décisives. Ces mesures visent à protéger les populations civiles, qui ont été tuées par le Colonel Qadhafi dont le régime a été condamné par le monde entier », a souligné par le chef de l’ONU.

« J’exhorte les autorités libyennes a pleinement respecter les résolutions 1970 et 1973 du Conseil de sécurité, en commençant par l’arrêt immédiat des hostilités contre les civils », a-t-il dit.

S’agissant du Yémen, Ban Ki-moon a appelé le gouvernement yéménite à protéger la population civile et à mettre un terme à la violence. Selon lui, il n’existe aucune alternative au dialogue politique, social et économique afin de répondre à la crise politique et pour maintenir une unité nationale.

« Cela concerne également Bahreïn ou les violences ont récemment éclaté. L’ONU reste en contact avec les parties sur le terrain, y compris le gouvernement et les parties clés de l’opposition. J’appelle toutes les parties concernées à faire preuve d’un maximum de retenue », a souligné le chef de l’ONU.

« Toutes les parties impliquées devraient chercher les moyens de garantir l’unité et la stabilité et à créer un environnement propice pour des réformes crédibles, y compris les voisins de Bahreïn et la communauté internationale », a-t-il ajouté.

Ban Ki-moon a insisté sur le fait qu’il n’existe pas de retour en arrière possible dans ce mouvement de réforme démocratique qui est en train de s’enraciner.

« Ici en Egypte, ainsi qu’en Tunisie, ces transitions sont en cours. Dans ce moment historique, il est dans l’intérêt de la communauté internationale et des Nations Unies d’aider ici et n’importe où de telles inspirations », a-t-il conclu.

UN.ORG

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Le Conseil de sécurité. UN.org

Le Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU a autorisé jeudi les Etats membres à prendre les mesures nécessaires afin de protéger les populations civiles en Libye contre les attaques des forces loyales au dirigeant libyen Mouammar Qadhafi et a notamment décidé la mise en place d’une zone d’exclusion aérienne.

Dans une résolution adoptée par 10 votes en faveur et cinq abstentions (Chine, Russie, Brésil, Allemagne et Inde), le Conseil de sécurité a autorisé les Etats membres « à prendre les toutes les mesures nécessaires » afin de « protéger les civils et les zones peuplées de civils sous la menace d’attaques en Jamahiriya arabe libyenne, y compris Benghazi, tout en excluant une occupation par la force ».

Le Conseil reconnaît le rôle important de la Ligue des Etats Arabes en ce qui concerne « le maintien de la paix internationale et la sécurité dans la région en ayant à l’esprit le Chapitre VII de la Charte des Nations Unies ».

La résolution prévoit la mise en place « d’une zone d’exclusion aérienne de la Jamahiriya arabe libyenne afin de protéger les populations civiles ».

Les membres du Conseil de sécurité ont précisé que cette interdiction ne s’imposait pas aux vols à caractère humanitaire dont l’objectif est la distribution de vivres ou de matériel médical ainsi que les vols destinés à l’évacuation d’étrangers.

Le Conseil autorise les Etats membres « à notifier au Secrétaire général de l’ONU et au Secrétaire général de la Ligue des Etats arabes, agissant nationalement ou au travers d’organisations régionales, de prendre les mesures nécessaires afin de faire respecter l’interdiction des vols ».

Dans la résolution les Etats membres ont exprimé leur « grave inquiétude sur la situation qui se détériore, l’escalade de la violence et le nombre de victimes civiles » et ont rappelé « la responsabilité des autorités libyennes de protéger la population libyenne ».

Les membres du Conseil ont condamné « les violations systématiques des droits de l’homme y compris la détention arbitraire, les disparitions forcées et les exécutions sommaires » et ont rappelé « la condamnation par la Ligue arabe, l’Union africaine et le Secrétaire général de l’Organisation de la Conférence islamique des violations graves des droits de l’homme et du droit humanitaire international qui ont été commis en Libye ».

Le Conseil de sécurité a demandé « l’établissement immédiat d’un cessez-le-feu et l’arrêt complet des violences et de toutes les attaques et abus contre des civils » et a souligné « le besoin d’intensifier les efforts pour trouver une solution a la crise afin de répondre aux demandes légitimes du peuple libyen ».

Les membres du Conseil ont demandé « que les autorités libyennes se conforment à leurs obligations en vertu du droit international, y compris le droit humanitaire international ».

Ils ont décidé afin d’assurer la stricte application de l’embargo sur les armes, contenu dans la résolution adoptée précédemment le 26 février sur la Libye, d’inspecter sur leur territoire, y compris les ports et les aéroports ou en haute mer, les bateaux et les avions se rendant ou provenant de Libye.

Les membres du Conseil ont déploré l’utilisation systématique de mercenaires et ont demandé à tous les Etats membres de se conformer strictement à leur obligations afin d’empêcher la fourniture de mercenaires armés à la Libye.

Sur le gel des avoirs, le Conseil a décidé qu’il concernera tous les fonds, les avoirs financiers et les ressources économiques qui sont propriété ou contrôlés directement ou indirectement par les autorités libyennes.

Enfin, la résolution autorise la création d’un panel d’experts qui devront regrouper, examiner et d’analyser les informations des Etats, des entités de l’ONU et des organisations régionales et d’autres parties.

Les experts devront fournir un rapport intérimaire sur son travail pas plus de 90 jours après la nomination du Panel et un rapport final au Conseil pas plus de 30 jours avant la fin de son mandat avec ses recommandations.

Le Conseil de sécurité a réaffirmé « son intention de surveiller constamment les actions des autorités libyennes et souligne sa disposition à réviser à tout moment les mesures imposées par cette résolution et la résolution 1970, y compris en renforçant, suspendant ou mettant fin aux mesures le cas échéant, en fonction du respect par les autorités libyennes de cette résolution et de la résolution 1970 ».

UN.org

[adv]