20th September 2011, Geneva; The Minister of Justice and Human Rights of the National Transitional Council, H.E. Mr. Mohamed al-Alagi, today addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and used his address to underline the central role that human rights protection will play in the new Libya, and the new government's determination to fully cooperate with international human rights mechanisms. His comments came during a debate on an interim report by the UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses in Libya (COI).
Responding to the COI's report and the comments by Mr. al-Alagi, the Maldives Ambassador to the Council, H.E. Ms. Iruthisham Adam warmly welcomed the NTC to the UN and recognised the steps announced in the field of human rights. She also take note of the close relationship between the Maldives and the NTC, and their cooperation in international moves to isolate Muammar Ghadaffi.
"The moment, many months ago, that the regime of Muammar Ghadaffi turned his guns on his own people, the Maldives declared that he had lost his legitimacy and his right to govern. At that moment we recognised the NTC as the sole legitimate body representing the aspirations of the Libyan people - becoming the fourth country to do so. Since then, the Maldives, along with the UK, Qatar and Jordan has co-lead efforts here in the Council to hold the regime of Muammar Ghadaffi accountable for human rights violations and to promote a new future for the country".
"We are therefore delighted that the NTC is sat here with us today as the legitimate representatives of the Libyan people".
"Notwithstanding these welcome developments, it is important not to be complacent. An enormous amount of work remains to be done to ensure that that Libya becomes a strong and stable democracy built upon human rights and fundamental freedoms".
"The NTC and any future democratically elected government must approach the issue of human rights openly and constructively. The past must be accepted and dealt with, violations on all sides must be accounted for, victims must receive redress, and the country's new political settlement - from the drafting of a new constitution to the establishment of the independent institutions of government - must be built upon international human rights law and principles.
In this regard, the Maldives welcomes the Commission's conclusion that it has received positive responses to its requests to the NTC for cooperation and information...We also welcome today's announcements by the Libyan delegation that it will invite the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit and will re-assert the country's Standing Invitation to Special Procedures. These are very positive first steps".
ENDS