UNITED NATIONS: The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor yesterday called on Libya’s new government to reject any amnesty for crimes committed by the forces which brought down late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
The elected government is to be sworn in today in Tripoli amid international concern about security and the judiciary in Libya as well as the detention of Gaddafi’s son.
ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda called on the new government “to ensure that there is no amnesty for international crimes and no impunity for crimes, regardless of who the perpetrator is and who is the victim.”
It was the court’s strongest airing of its fears, UN diplomats said. “The situation in Libya remains of serious concern to me and to my office,” Bensouda told the UN Security Council.
The government has proposed a law which grants amnesty for “acts made necessary by the February 17 revolution” which led to Gaddafi’s downfall and his death in October last year.
Bensouda told the Security Council a separate law “purportedly ensures” that this would not include any act that contravenes international laws and human rights covenants.
The prosecutor called on the government to unveil a promised strategy to end impunity in the country as it recovers from the chaotic events of 2011.
Rights groups have expressed fears that the controversial death of Gaddafi and killing, torture and detention of followers of the longtime dictator could go unpunished under the proposed amnesty.
The US, France, UK and other nations that took part in the UN-backed military cooperation have given strong backing to the new government but also have fears about the judiciary. “As Libyans chart the country’s future, justice and accountability issues will remain central to the success of Libya’s transition and essential to securing lasting peace,” said Rosemary DiCarlo, deputy US ambassador to the United Nations.
AFP
