Originally published on the CGS blog on February 25, 2011.
As the United Nations Security Council and Human Rights council meet today, Mommar Gaddafi continues to defy calls for him to step down. Innocent civilians are being fired upon by Gaddafi’s security forces and there is no end in sight. It is the responsibility of Gaddafi and the Libyan government to protect its civilians. When this does not happen swift action must be taken. The UN Human Right Council and Security Council must do more than just condemn Gaddafi, it must take active steps. Libyan officials abroad have already taken action. In today’s UN Human Rights Council meeting, the Libyan delegation announced it would resign and side with the people. I’m shocked! This almost never happens on the global stage. Libyan’s have already taken the difficult actions that are necessary, now it is our turn address this heinous dictator. Of course it would help if the international community could decide how to spell the guys name. Is it Gadhafi, Gaddafi or Qaddafi? More on that later.
The UN Human Rights Council, which Libya is a member of, held a special session today where they voted unanimously to remove Libya from the council. This was the right thing to do. Under the current circumstances, Libya cannot be a member of the Human Rights Council. At the special session today, European members drafted a resolution, which, “strongly condemns the recent gross and systematic human rights violations committed in Libya . . . some of which may also amount to crimes against humanity,” and “strongly calls upon the government of Libya to meet its responsibility to protect its population” and “immediately put an end to all human rights violations.” The resolutions also called for an “independent international commission” to investigate possible human rights violations.
Today the UN Security Council is also meeting to discuss Libya and what to do with Gaddafi. In closed consultations yesterday, diplomats urged Security Council members to begin to look at further options in dealing with Gaddafi. The Security Council is also considering sanctions on Libya. This may include freezing all assets of Gaddafi and high-level government officials, travel bans, an arms embargo against Libya, and enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya.The draft resolution also includes possible prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC). I believe these sanctions will help, but with continuing attacks on civilians more needs to be done to protect these innocent people.
I support a multi-lateral approach to resolving the situation in Libya. Through UN sanctions and actions, stability and the removal of Gaddafi can be achieved. Proposed budget cuts threaten to weaken the UN Situations like this require a strong UN, and withholding U.S. dues will only weaken the UN and make it ineffective when it is needed most. I’m for quick and decisive UN action regarding Libya, a peaceful resolution, and spelling his name as Gaddafi.
