The representative of the United States (US) at the Security Council’s meeting regarding Libya on Tuesday, Mark Simonoff, welcomed the remarkable dedication of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) staff and continued efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the heinous atrocities committed against the Libyan people and individuals who find themselves on Libyan territory since February 2011.
Simonoff said the ICC plays an important role in the international system of justice, and its work in Libya supports our collective pursuit of accountability, peace, and security. He added that the US welcomed the recent unsealing of six arrest warrants for leaders of, and local officials associated with, Al-Kaniyat militia.
“These individuals are charged with war crimes—including murder, torture, cruel treatment, sexual violence, and rape—in relation to horrific events in the city of Tarhouna in 2019-2020.” He said, adding that the arrest warrants represented significant strides in pursuing accountability for the most atrocious crimes committed in Libya and sending a message to victims that “they are not forgotten.”
“The United States encourages those with knowledge of these suspects’ whereabouts to work with the ICC and the Libyan authorities, as appropriate, to bring them to justice.” Simonoff added.
US Calls for an End to Impunity
“Impunity must be ended for the leaders of the violent migrant smuggling networks on the Central Mediterranean Route. We are pleased to see an upgraded vision of investigations and prosecutions, in particular with regard to financial investigations.” Simonoff said.
He added that the “United States applauds the Libyan authorities for supporting progress towards the completion of investigative activities. We are pleased that the Libyan authorities welcomed trainings on investigating and prosecuting international crimes, and we encourage future collaborative efforts to bolster forensics and other investigatory modalities.”
The US encouraged the Libyan authorities to do more to support global accountability efforts and to enhance cooperation with the ICC, including providing information to States investigating crimes committed in Libya and ensuring that all those subject to arrest warrants face justice expeditiously.
In this regard, he has said Washington calls upon the Libyan authorities to ensure that all those subject to outstanding ICC arrest warrants, including former senior officials of the Gaddafi regime, face justice.
Resolving political instability and promoting accountability will go a long way toward addressing the chronic cycles of violence in Libya, including the mobilization of armed groups. A critical step toward fostering stability and peace is the immediate withdrawal of all armed groups and mercenaries from Libya, in line with Security Council Resolution 2656 and the October 2020 Libyan ceasefire agreement.
It is long past time to break the cycle of impunity that has fed this prolonged conflict and to empower the Libyan people in their pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous future. The people of Libya deserve stability and justice, and the US supports the International Criminal Court’s effort to help bring justice to the people of Libya.
Simonoff said: “We must all support international justice and the promotion of accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights.”
