ACHPR calls on Libya to end violence against civilians

The Pan-African Human Rights Body, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has called on the Government of the Great Socialist Peoples’ Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to immediately end the violence against civilians and take necessary steps to ensure that the human rights of its citizens and all its inhabitants are respected.

In a media dispatch on February 26, it said Libya should uphold the right to freedom of expression, assembly, the right to peaceful protest and ensure the security of its citizens, as provided by the African Charter.

The African Commission said it is particularly concerned about the serious and massive violations taking place in Libya and condemns the violence and use of force against civilians and suppression of peaceful demonstrators.

Issued along side the 9^th Extra Ordinary Session of the ACHPR, in Banjul-The Gambia, the ACHPR said the Commission is calling on the African Union to contribute towards the effective realisation of human and peoples’ rights, constitutional order and democracy in North Africa.

The release stressed that it is only when the human rights of others are respected that true freedom is assured. “The ACH PR continues to follow closely the deteriorating human rights situation in North Africa, States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter),” the release said.

“Concerning the Peoples’ Democratic Republic of Algeria, the African Commission also expresses its grave concerns at the deteriorating human rights situation therein.

It condemns the violence and use of force against civilians, and calls on the Government of Algeria, not only to meet its responsibility to protect its own population, but also to act with restraint and to respect the rights and freedoms of its citizens.”

The Commission said it welcomes the process of political transition initiated in Tunisia and the Arab Republic of Egypt and commends the people of these States for the peaceful, courageous and orderly manner in which they have exercised their legitimate rights.

It urged the two countries to work through dialogue for the search of a consensual solution to the situation that takes into account the legitimate aspirations of its people.

It underscores the need for appropriate reforms, including the holding of free and fair elections that respect their fundamental rights.