U.S. Ambassador and Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs to the United Nations Jeffrey DeLaurentis
today said the U.S. government commends Transitional National Council for demonstrating a clean break from the Qadhafi legacy through its sincere willingness to protect and respect the rights and fundamental freedoms of the Libyan people.
At the Assembly meeting on the Reinstatement of Libya to the Human Rights Council, Mr. Jeffrey DeLaurentis the TNC responds to the Libyans’ legitimate aspirations for governance that embraces human rights principles and gives its citizens a meaningful voice in how they are governed.
“We welcome Libya back to the Human Rights Council. Muammar Qadhafi’s Libya was the only member of the HRC that has ever been suspended for gross and systematic violations of human rights, as called for in resolution 60/251 that created the Council.” -Mr. DeLaurentis
He said the United States commends the new Libyan government for the strong affirmation made in Geneva at the last Human Rights Council session, that commits Libya to “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights” for all its people, as noted in OP9 of the HRC’s founding resolution.
“We look forward to working closely with our Libyan colleagues to address critical human rights concerns in Libya and around the world.” -Mr. DeLaurentis
He stressed he sees a future in Libya with a new government that responds to the democratic aspirations of the Libyan people, respects their universal human rights, and adheres to Libya’s international commitments and obligations.
“Nonetheless, we remain concerned by reports of human rights abuses and violations in Libya. The TNC has stated that it will work to ensure security and accountability according to the rule of law and in line with Libya’s international obligations and commitments that protect all people in Libya regardless of nationality, race or political affiliation, and we have called on the TNC to hold Libya to those commitments.” -Mr. DeLaurentis
He noted that the TNC has cooperated fully with UNHCR, IOM, and NGOs as they have visited detention facilities to investigate reports of arbitrary detention and the abuse of Libyans and sub-Saharan Africans.
He stressed that the U.S. government commends the TNC for its openness to working with the international community, and for calling upon the UN to provide technical assistance to allow it to protect human rights, particularly for individuals belonging to vulnerable groups, and to support transitional justice.