UN DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR WAR CRIMES IN LIBYA

Tripoli, 2 Rabiul Awal 1436/24 December 2015 (MINA)- The United Nations has demanded justice for what it calls serious rights violations and possible “war crimes” carried out during recent fighting in Libya.

According to a joint report released by the UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Tuesday, the ongoing fighting in Libya has killed hundreds of civilians and caused hundreds of thousands to abandon their homes.

The report went on to warn of the increasing violence throughout the North African country since May and widespread violations of human rights such as civilian abductions, executions and torture, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“Violations are continuing with impunity. There has been no effort to stop them,” said OHCHR spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani.

The report highlighted an increase in clashes since mid-October in the Libyan city of Benghazi, were pro-internationally recognized government troops are fighting militants, who are in control of Libya’s second-largest city.

During the two months leading up to mid-December, around 450 people were killed and another 90,000 were forced to flee their homes in Benghazi.

Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.

The country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups that refuse to lay down arms. The groups are now turning their guns on each other in an attempt to dominate politics and the country’s vast oil resources. (T/P010/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)