Libya
The Situation
On February 15, 2011, in reaction to widespread unrest across the region demonstrators in Libya staged a “Day of Rage” protesting Qaddafi’s rule, calling for an end to his 41-year reign — the longest in the Arab world. Initial protests in Tripoli quickly spread across the country, prompting a violent response by Qaddafi’s government as security forces opened fire on protesters killing at least 500 civilians. The Libyan despot used fighter jets, tanks, snipers and heavy artillery to target civilians in major urban areas under the control of the opposition.
The international community, led by the United Nations Security Council, responded with diplomatic efforts, condemnation, sanctions and a threat of accountability through an International Criminal Court investigation. As Qaddafi’s forces approached the opposition stronghold of Benghazi threatening to fight door to door showing no mercy, the UN Security Council took decisive action to protect civilians through a no-fly zone calling upon member states to take “all necessary measures ... to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat”. The no-fly zone was administered by NATO and allied countries and subsequent airstrikes in support of opposition ground forces helped to deter attacks on Benghazi and eventually turn the tide on Qaddafi.
After six months of struggle the Libyan capital of Tripoli was captured and Qaddafi was killed. The country was formally declared liberated by the Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC) in October 2011. Legal steps have been taken to elect a constitutional assembly that will write a new constitution and establish a legitimate government. However, the interim government continues to face challenges to assert its legitimacy beyond Tripoli and to contain armed militias perpetrating violence and human rights abuses. The presence of public servants from the old regime in the current administration further raises questions about the credibility and effectiveness of the interim government.
What Are We Watching For?
United to End Genocide is concerned about continued violence directed at civilians and human rights abuses against detainees under the interim governmen. A United Nations report says that the TNC has not done enough to halt disturbing violence and deteriorating human rights conditions. Tribal clashes in south eastern Libya left at least 113 people dead. Roughly 12,000 people from Tawergha in western Libya have been subjected to attacks, arrests and harassment since August 2011, mostly by militias from Misrata and the government has yet to investigate these crimes. Armed militias and officially recognized military have tortured and killed perceived or real Qaddafi loyalists, among them sub-Saharan Africa migrants mistakenly identified as mercenaries.
As the TNC works to rebuild the country’s institutions and infrastructure, emphasis should be placed on reforming the security and judicial sector. Those guilty of human rights abuses should be prosecuted. It is unclear to what extent the interim government will cooperate with the International Criminal Court, particularly regarding Qaddafi’s son and top intelligence official in light of the questionable circumstances of Qaddafi’s death.
There are also fears that a call for a semi-autonomous region, “Cyrenaica” in eastern Libya, threatens to disintegrate the country should the TNC use force to defend national unity. Instead, the TNC should engage with regional leaders in a national dialogue until a constitutional assembly is elected and a new government established.
