UN suspends Libya from Human Rights Council

The Telegraph ^ | 3/1/2010 | Jon Swaine

[bruinbirdman]

Libya has become the first country to be suspended from the UN Human Rights Council, after the rest of the world condemned the Gaddafi regime's "gross and systematic violations" of the rights of its people.

The UN General Assembly, which comprises all 192 members, agreed to bar Libya from the council, which aims to "strengthen, promote and protect human rights", on Tuesday evening in New York.

The measure was accepted "by consensus", a device used if there is no known opposition. Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary General, said: "The world has spoken with one voice".

Gaddafi has over the past week led a brutal crackdown on protests against his rule, leaving more than 1,000 dead and thousands more injured.

Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, described the move as a "harsh rebuke" to Colonel Gaddafi and said: "He must go, and he must go now".

"This unprecedented action sends a clear warning to Mr Gaddafi and those who stand by him," she said. "They must stop the killing".

Mark Lyall Grant, the British ambassador to the UN, said further action may be required by the UN Security Council, which last week imposed sanctions on Tripoli and referred its actions to the International Criminal Court.

"We are not ruling anything out at this stage, Mr Lyall Grant told

[dr_lew]

It’s so funny. SNL should hope to be so funny.

[lmr]

That’ll teach Khadafy.

You bet it will. We put him in his place! /s

[max americana]

Yup. Gaddafhi will use those resolutions to wipe his rear when he goes to the bathroom.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

I think it is peace for our time.

[Lazlo in PA]

Wow. The UN. That will get things done. Wake me up when someone does something worthwhile.

[MasterGunner01]

I can hardly wait for all the STERNLY worded pronouncements by world leaders, state departments and foreign ministries, and the United Nations. I'll bet Gaddafi will be shaking in his boots — NOT.

Think that Zer0 or the Brits or Euros (or anyone else) have the stones to do anything? Not in evidence.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Libya has become the first country to be suspended from the UN Human Rights Council, after the rest of the world condemned the Gaddafi regime's "gross and systematic violations" of the rights of its people.

Yeah, because none of the masterminds at the UN ever realized before this that having Libya on a "Human Rights Council" was ridiculous. Sponsorship of Abu Nidal, the Achille Lauro hijacking, the bombing of a Berlin disco, the bombing of a Pan Am 747 - those just weren't enough of a hint.

[Puckster]

This isn’t even a laudable action.....considering gave a seat to this man on the council in the first place.

[Lion Den Dan]

I thought the U.N. had praised Lybia’s human rights record just a few days ago.