UK will work with Libya to provide the support it needs
UK Statement to the Security Council meeting on the ICC Prosecutor’s Fifth Report on Libya.
Mr President,
Let me thank the Prosecutor for her report on the situation in Libya and for her briefing today. The United Kingdom remains a strong supporter of the ICC. We thank the Prosecutor and her Office for their detailed work as set out in the Report.
Security and justice sector reform is critical for Libya to facilitate the rebuilding of state institutions and return to stability. We, along with our international partners, will continue to work with Libya to provide it with the support it needs to meet the challenges it faces.
Mr President,
We welcome ongoing efforts to investigate and bring to justice all those members of the former regime who are guilty of abuses and to press forward with implementation of the recommendations made in the latest Human Rights Council resolution, adopted on 21 March 2013. It is, however, important that all those who committed crimes are brought to justice. We encourage the Libyan authorities to abandon plans to provide revolutionaries who committed war crimes and crimes against humanity with an amnesty from punishment for their crimes. We call on them to investigate and prosecute all individuals implicated in such abuses.
Addressing security and transitional justice remains the immediate challenge for the Libyan government. We are providing assistance to Libya by sending a Justice Adviser to contribute to prison and justice sector reform projects, and stand ready to further assist Libyan-led efforts to build up accountable and transparent security and justice institutions to improve security and strengthen the rule of law.
Mr President,
We fully support the ongoing investigations in relation to gender crimes with a particular focus on those outside of Libya and in relation to the allegations about the situation in Tawergha. These efforts continue to play an important part in challenging impunity and ensuring accountability for those who bear the greatest responsibility for the most serious crimes.
Mr President,
We welcome the level of cooperation that the Libyan Government has undertaken with the ICC in relation to the arrest warrants issued against Saif Al-Islam Qadhafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi. Libya’s continued cooperation with the ICC is essential. We note that there are now admissibility challenges submitted by the Libyan authorities in respect of both cases, and that the Prosecutor’s investigations into them are suspended, pending a ruling from the ICC Judges. We continue to encourage the ICC and the Libyan government to work together to address matters arising out of the events in June last year. More generally we are pleased that Libya and the ICC are continuing to engage constructively on issues relating to the ICC proceedings.
It is important that the detention of both Abdullah al-Senussi and Saif al-Islam Qadhafi is in accordance with international law, that they have access to legal advisers, and that any potential trial held in Libya is consistent with Libya’s international human rights obligations.
Mr President,
The authorities of the United Kingdom have played a part in the ICC’s investigations so far, by providing the fullest support, as and when requested, to the Prosecutor and her team of investigators. We are a strong principled supporter of the ICC, and will continue to provide our full support to the Prosecutor as and when requested.
Thank you, Mr President.