Saif al-Islam Muammar Al-Gaddafi |

NEWS

JUNE 27, 2011 – Today, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued three warrants of arrest respectively for Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi for crimes against humanity (murder and persecution) allegedly committed across Libya from 15 February 2011 until at least 28 February 2011, through the State apparatus and Security Forces.

The Chamber, composed of Judges Sanji Mmasenono Monageng (Presiding), Sylvia Steiner and Cuno Tarfusser, considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the three suspects committed the alleged crimes and that their arrests appear necessary in order to ensure their appearances before the Court; 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 the jurisdiction of the Court.

In November 2010, at least nine countries at a UN Human Rights Council session, commended Libya’s “strong commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.” Their comments follow below:

QATAR: We appreciate what has been done in the Libyan Arab republic, our brother country, and we’ve seen the achievements made.

SYRIA: The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya has a unique experience in democracy…this has allowed for growth and development promotion in human rights

NORTH KOREA: We commend the efforts of Libya in the area of human rights.

PALESTINIAN OBSERVER: We highly commend the national report…this proves the Jamahiriya keen interest in improving and promoting human rights…

SAUDI ARABIA: The interest shown by the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in its constitutional and legislative and institutional framework shows very clearly the importance it attaches to human rights and its concern with promoting and protecting human rights.

CUBA: We can see that there are significant achievements in the country in terms of human rights.

IRAN: The Libyan Jamahiriya has achieved significant progress in the promotion and protection of human rights.

EGYPT: We would like to salute Jamahiriya for its achievements in the building of human rights integrated national system.

PAKISTAN: The steps taken by the government of Libya, both in legislation and in practice, demonstrate its strong commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.