Uploaded February 2011 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
U.N. Commissioner: Libyan Crackdown Amounts to Crime Against Humanity
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has warned that the widespread attacks against protesters in Libya amounts to crimes against humanity. Witnesses in Tripoli have reported Libyan fighter jets and helicopter gunships have been used to attack protesters who are calling for an end to Muammar Gaddafi's four-decade rule. At least 300 people have reportedly died in recent days, and tens of thousands of foreigners are attempting to flee the country. Gaddafi briefly appeared on state television Monday to say he is still in Libya; however, his grip on the country appears to be weakening. Opposition forces now control the eastern part of Libya, and numerous Libyan diplomats and soldiers have defected and voiced support for the opposition.
Libyan Ambassador Accuses Gaddafi of Genocide
In New York City, Ibrahim Dabbashi, Libya's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, accused Gaddafi of committing genocide.
Ibrahim Dabbashi, deputy ambassador to the United Nations: "No, we are not with Gaddafi, we have never been with Gaddafi. We are with the people, and we just made a statement to ask the international community to intervene to do something to help the Libyan people, who is facing genocide now in Tripoli. And he has been facing also crimes against humanity in all the eastern cities of Libya."
Obama Administration Criticized Over Response to Libyan Violence
Many Libyan-American activists have criticized the Obama administration for its minimal response to the bloody crackdown on protests by the Libyan government. President Obama last mentioned Libya on Friday. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has not said anything publicly but issued a statement Monday calling for a halt to the "unacceptable bloodshed."
U.S., Europe and Libya Relationship Strengthened through Corporate, Military Ties
In recent years, Libya has strengthened its ties to the United States and many European nations. Two years ago, the U.S. firm General Dynamics signed a $165 million contract to arm the Libyan Armed Forces' elite second brigade. Halliburton, Shell, Raytheon, Dow Chemical and Chevron are all members of the U.S.-Libya Business Association. And in 2009, it was revealed that British forces were training Libyan special forces in counterterrorism techniques.
Libya: Human Rights Watch Appeals to International Community for Response
Reed Brody of Human Rights Watch called on the international community to respond to the mass killings.
Human Rights Watch spokesperson, Reed Brody: ''We would like to see friends of Libya, the African Union, the European Union, make clear that this violence against unarmed protesters has to stop, that these are crimes that are being committed and that those who commit them could be brought to justice. We would like to see a total cutoff of military and security aid to Libya and demand that Libya restore the internet and allow journalists and human rights groups in to see what is really happening.''
U.N. Commissioner: Libyan Crackdown Amounts to Crime Against Humanity
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has warned that the widespread attacks against protesters in Libya amounts to crimes against humanity. Witnesses in Tripoli have reported Libyan fighter jets and helicopter gunships have been used to attack protesters who are calling for an end to Muammar Gaddafi's four-decade rule. At least 300 people have reportedly died in recent days, and tens of thousands of foreigners are attempting to flee the country. Gaddafi briefly appeared on state television Monday to say he is still in Libya; however, his grip on the country appears to be weakening. Opposition forces now control the eastern part of Libya, and numerous Libyan diplomats and soldiers have defected and voiced support for the opposition.
Libyan Ambassador Accuses Gaddafi of Genocide
In New York City, Ibrahim Dabbashi, Libya's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, accused Gaddafi of committing genocide.
Ibrahim Dabbashi, deputy ambassador to the United Nations: "No, we are not with Gaddafi, we have never been with Gaddafi. We are with the people, and we just made a statement to ask the international community to intervene to do something to help the Libyan people, who is facing genocide now in Tripoli. And he has been facing also crimes against humanity in all the eastern cities of Libya."
Obama Administration Criticized Over Response to Libyan Violence
Many Libyan-American activists have criticized the Obama administration for its minimal response to the bloody crackdown on protests by the Libyan government. President Obama last mentioned Libya on Friday. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has not said anything publicly but issued a statement Monday calling for a halt to the "unacceptable bloodshed."
U.S., Europe and Libya Relationship Strengthened through Corporate, Military Ties
In recent years, Libya has strengthened its ties to the United States and many European nations. Two years ago, the U.S. firm General Dynamics signed a $165 million contract to arm the Libyan Armed Forces' elite second brigade. Halliburton, Shell, Raytheon, Dow Chemical and Chevron are all members of the U.S.-Libya Business Association. And in 2009, it was revealed that British forces were training Libyan special forces in counterterrorism techniques.
Libya: Human Rights Watch Appeals to International Community for Response
Reed Brody of Human Rights Watch called on the international community to respond to the mass killings.
Human Rights Watch spokesperson, Reed Brody: ''We would like to see friends of Libya, the African Union, the European Union, make clear that this violence against unarmed protesters has to stop, that these are crimes that are being committed and that those who commit them could be brought to justice. We would like to see a total cutoff of military and security aid to Libya and demand that Libya restore the internet and allow journalists and human rights groups in to see what is really happening.''
