All sides in Libya’s most recent conflict have committed serious rights abuses, some of which amount to war crimes, found Amnesty International’s latest report.
The report, “Rule of the gun: Abductions, torture and other abuses in western Libya,” found that armed groups had summarily killed, tortured or ill-treated detainees in their custody whilst targeting civilians based on their origins or perceived political allegiances.
“Leaders of militias and armed groups in Libya have a duty to put an end to violations of international humanitarian law and to make clear to their subordinates that such crimes will not be tolerated. A failure to do so could result in prosecution of commanders by the International Criminal Court,” said the Amnesty press release.
“In today’s Libya the rule of the gun has taken hold. Armed groups and militias are running amok, launching indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas and committing widespread abuses, including war crimes, with complete impunity,” said the deputy director for the Amnesty Middle East and North Africa programme.
“Indiscriminate attacks and targeting medical facilities are prohibited under international law and can constitute war crimes. Yet, fighters on all sides in this conflict have fired GRAD rockets and artillery in crowded civilian neighbourhoods. ” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.
The report, “Rule of the gun: Abductions, torture and other abuses in western Libya,” found that armed groups had summarily killed, tortured or ill-treated detainees in their custody whilst targeting civilians based on their origins or perceived political allegiances.
“Leaders of militias and armed groups in Libya have a duty to put an end to violations of international humanitarian law and to make clear to their subordinates that such crimes will not be tolerated. A failure to do so could result in prosecution of commanders by the International Criminal Court,” said the Amnesty press release.
“In today’s Libya the rule of the gun has taken hold. Armed groups and militias are running amok, launching indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas and committing widespread abuses, including war crimes, with complete impunity,” said the deputy director for the Amnesty Middle East and North Africa programme.
“Indiscriminate attacks and targeting medical facilities are prohibited under international law and can constitute war crimes. Yet, fighters on all sides in this conflict have fired GRAD rockets and artillery in crowded civilian neighbourhoods. ” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.