HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL URGES LIBYAN GOVERNMENT TO STOP ATTACKS AGAINST CIVILIANS AND RESPECT THE POPULAR WILL OF THE PEOPLE

The Human Rights Council this afternoon closed its Special Session on the human rights situation in Libya after adopting a resolution in which it called on the Libyan Government to immediately release all arbitrarily detained persons, stop attacks against civilians, and respect the popular will, aspirations and demands of the people. The resolution called for the Human Rights Council to dispatch an independent, international commission of inquiry to Libya to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law in the country.

Resolution S-15/L.1, adopted by consensus without a vote, also called on the Libyan Government to cease intimidation, persecution and arbitrary arrests of individuals, ensure the safety of all civilians including citizens of third countries, and cease blocking internet and telecommunications networks. The resolution reminded Libya of its obligations as a Member State of the Human Rights Council to uphold the highest standards of human rights and to guarantee the access of human rights and humanitarian organizations to the country.

The passage of the resolution came after a full day of discussion during this Special Session, which was the first to be convened concerning a sitting member of the Human Rights Council.


For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC11/007E