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Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle welcomes clear stance of Human Rights Council on Libya
The Human Rights Council in Geneva addressed the human rights situation in Libya in a special session today (25 February). At the special session, the Human Rights Council adopted unanimously – and thus cross-regionally – a resolution which calls for an end to the violence in Libya, demands the punishment of those responsible for violations of human rights, launches an international enquiry, and recommends suspending Libya’s membership in the Council.
Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle issued the following statement in Berlin today (25 February):
“I welcome the Human Rights Council’s decision. This is a clear and determined reaction on the part of the international community, which we too have worked to achieve.
The Council’s recommendation to suspend Libya’s membership sends a clear message: Anyone who tramples on human rights does not belong in the Human Rights Council.”
This is the first time in the Council’s history that it has recommended such a step. The suspension now goes to the UN General Assembly, where it requires the approval of a two-thirds majority. Germany, though not currently a member of the Human Rights Council, supported the special session and was one of the resolution’s sponsors.
Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle will address the 16th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday (28 February), where he will speak about current developments in North Africa.
