The three member panel appointed by the UN Human Rights Council was in Libya today. Led by Professor Cherif Bassiouni, (a colleague of mine for many years on matters like the International Criminal Court Rome negotiations and critical to the realization of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia - “ICTY”. ) the panel meet with the regime in Tripoli .

The “Tripoli Government” loyal to Colonel Gaddafi pledged its support; however insisted that the “Bassiouni Panel” also investigate alleged grave violations of international humanitarian law by NATO and “rebel” forces.

Record of Service & Impartiality
I have little doubt that Professor Bassiouni is up to the task and will be objective. He has been critical of United States actions in other forums (such as Afghanistan and Bagram prison). Professor Bassiouni was probably appointed in large part because of his impartiality as well as long service in the area of international justice.

The Panel is scheduled to report its initial findings by June of this year. That schedule is ambitious, but I’m of the view that it will be met. It is possible, even perhaps likely though that follow up reports will be submitted by the “Bassiouni Panel.”

The other Panel members in their own right are impressive, including another colleague from the International Criminal Court, Canada’s Philippe Kirsch, who was the first president of the International Criminal Court.. The other Panel member Asma Khader, a Jordanian-Palestinian lawyer who serves on the executive committee of the International Commission of Jurists. (Photo above is of Panel Members, from left to right – Khader, Bassiouni and Kirsch).

Inquiry & UN Security Council Resolutions
The inquiry was ordered after reports emerged of serious human rights abuses against civilians in Libya, where initially peaceful protests have transformed into open conflict between opposition groups and the Qadhafi regime.

The General Assembly suspended Libya’s membership in the Human Rights Council last month in the wake of the violent repression of the protesters, and the Security Council later authorized Member States to take “all necessary measures” to protect civilians.

Aid Starting to Flow to Libyan Civilians _ (From UN News Release – April 27, 2011)
UN agencies have been sending relief supplies to thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) or besieged civilians in cities across the country, although deadly fighting continues between pro- and anti-Qadhafi forces, including in the city of Misrata.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported today that it has now established an international aid presence in the capital, Tripoli, with humanitarian workers also deployed to operational bases in Benghazi and to the neighbouring countries of Tunisia, Egypt, Chad and Niger.

The World Food Programme the UN Children’s Fund and the World Health Organization have all been able to deliver what OCHA described as “significant shipments” of aid.
Medical supplies and staff are among the biggest priorities now, while stocks of food and water are sufficient for only one to two months in some areas.

An estimated 615,000 people, including large numbers of third-country nationals, have fled Libya so far, with more than 10,000 evacuated from Misrata.

Aid agencies are seeking about $310 million to fund their relief operations, and so far have received $129 million.

More Reports Related to this Article:
---“Libya Inquiry Commission” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/libya-inquiry-commission/26328

---“Will Libya Come Before UN Security Council Again” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-libya-come-before-the-un-security-council-again-soon-by-ambassador-mo/27364

“UN Human Rights Council Adopts Libya Inquiry” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/libya-gaddafiinquiry-adopted-human-rights-council/25100

By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey
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