Australia considers sanctions on Libya

Australia is considering imposing sanctions on Libya in a bid to compel its government to halt attacks on its own people.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said Australia also called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to consider a range of sanctions including an arms embargo and a no-fly zone, along with appropriate humanitarian measures and the implementation of targeted sanctions by UN member states.

'I am writing today to the Brazilian Foreign Minister to urge Brazil's support as current UNSC chair for further strong action against Libya,' he said in a statement.

'At the same time, I have asked officials to consider what options are available to Australia to adopt autonomous sanctions against Libya.'

'The Libyan regime needs to face up to the international community, which has a clear responsibility to act and to act now.'

Following widespread anti-government protests, the Libyan regime launched a brutal crackdown with hundreds dead.

Mr Rudd said Australia was calling on the international community to take urgent, strong and decisive action.

He said he had instructed Australia's permanent representative to the UN in Geneva to push for a clear and resolution on Libya at the Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday.

'We call on the Human Rights Council to pursue its mandate to send a strong message to the Gaddafi regime that violations of human rights will not be tolerated,' he said.

Mr Rudd said Australia's representative would convey the Australian government's condemnation of recent events in Libya and would call on the Libyan regime to take immediate action to respect the human rights of its people.

He said each UN member state and the international community collectively had a responsibility to protect civilian populations from atrocities including crimes against humanity.

'The Australian government will also be urging the Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution which calls for the establishment of an independent and credible international investigation into the violent suppression of protests across Libya,' he said.

'It is our strong belief that the gross human rights violations committed by the Libyan regime warrant its suspension from this Council by a clear vote of the UN General Assembly.'


(2011-2-25/skynews.com.au)