HRW: 250 ASSASSINATIONS IN LIBYA AMOUNT TO CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

Benghazi, 1 Dzulhijjah 1435/25 September 2014 (MINA) – There have been “at least 250” politically motivated assassinations carried out in the cities of Benghazi and Derna, east of Libya, in 2014 alone, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.

In a statement, the organisation said: “Crimes of assassinations in Benghazi and Derna rise to the level of war crimes against humanity”, demanding an international investigation into the matter.

The group said it considered the Libyan authorities to have failed to conduct investigations, or prosecute those responsible for any of the unlawful killings, according to the Middle East Monitor (MEMO) report monitored by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

The statement quoted the Middle East and North Africa director, Sarah Leah Whitson, saying: “Those responsible for the latest killings in eastern Libya should be aware that the ICC prosecutor has a mandate to investigate grave abuses like these in Libya.”

Human Rights Watch, called for “an international commission of inquiry or a similar mechanism” to “investigate serious violations of the laws of war and international human rights law by all sides in Libya.

The inquiry should be mandated to establish the facts, and identify those responsible for serious violations with a view to ensuring that they are held accountable.” (T/P002/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)