US Senate adopts resolution against Gaddafi regime
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Washington: Amid reports that the Gaddafi regime is using fighter jets to target anti-government protesters, the US Senate has unanimously adopted a resolution asking the UNSC to consider imposing a no-fly zone over Libya while condemning the 'gross and systematic violations of human rights' in the country.
The bipartisan resolution, introduced by New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, asked 68-year-old Muammar Gaddafi to resign and permit a peaceful transition to democracy.
It also endorsed the actions of the UN Security Council, including referral of the Libyan situation to the Hague-based International Criminal Court.
While the resolution applauded the courage of the Libyan people in standing up against the brutal dictatorship of Gaddafi and for demanding democratic reforms, transparent governance and respect for basic human and civil rights; it strongly condemned the 'gross and systematic violations of human rights in Libya', including violent attacks on protesters.
It called on Gaddafi to desist from further violence, recognise the Libyan people's demand for democratic change, resign from his position and permit a peaceful transition to democracy governed by respect for human and civil rights and the right of the people to choose their government in free and fair elections.
Seeking new steps against the Gaddafi regime, it urged the United Nation Security Council to consider a no-fly zone to protect Libyans. The resolution also called for outreach by the United States to Libyan opposition figures.
"Gaddafi stands alone. The world stands united against him and his regime's brutality. His track record of terror is known – from the bombing of Pam Am Flight 103, which killed 270 people, to his brutal repression of the Libyan people as demonstrated by the massacre of 1,200 detainees killed at Abu Salim Prison in June 1996," Senator Menendez said.
"Today, we stand with the Libyan people as they demand the right to choose their own government and to live in a state that respects and guarantees basic human and civil rights. Gaddafi must go," he said.
The resolution welcomed the unanimous vote of the UN Security Council on resolution 1970 referring the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court, imposing an arms embargo on the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, freezing the assets of Gaddafi and family members and banning international travel by Gaddafi, his family and senior advisers.
It urged the UN Security Council to take such further action as may be necessary to protect civilians in Libya from attacks, including the possible imposition of a no-fly zone over the Libyan territory.
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