In a recent press release, the Genocide Intervention Network/Save Darfur Coalition, STAND’s parent organization, called for concerted international action to mitigate the crisis in Libya:
The United States, the United Nations, the Arab League and the African Union must endorse and – where able – undertake decisive action to stop what could constitute crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Qaddafi regime. If world leaders do not impose swift, severe consequences on the Qaddafi government other leaders might be tempted to employ the ‘Libya option.’
The UN General Assembly, including all the world’s governments, affirmed the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ doctrine in 2005. A commitment to that doctrine should compel the international community to stop what could constitute crimes against humanity taking place in Libya. Specifically, the UN Security Council should authorize the following actions:
Freezing assets of top Libyan officials and the Qaddafi family;
Referral of the situation in Libya to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court;
Creation of a mandatory Libya Recovery Fund into which all revenues from Libyan oil exports would be paid;
Establishment of a no-fly zone by willing countries, with the express aim of preventing continued operation of Libyan military aircraft if attacks against civilians continue.
GI-NET/SDC’s support for a no-fly zone over Libya has encountered ubiquitous approval across the foreign policy blogosphere. On Monday, FP blogger Marc Lynch expressed concern for the Qaddafi regime’s targeting of civilians, and called for NATO to take swift action to prevent further atrocities:
We should not be fooled by Libya’s geographic proximity to Egypt and Tunisia, or guided by the debates over how the United States could best help a peaceful protest movement achieve democratic change. The appropriate comparison is Bosnia or Kosovo, or even Rwanda where a massacre is unfolding on live television and the world is challenged to act. It is time for the United States, NATO, the United Nations and the Arab League to act forcefully to try to prevent the already bloody situation from degenerating into something much worse.
Andrew Sullivan has compiled a more expansive set of blogosphere responses to the Libyan crisis.
Update: DC STAND chapters, look for advocacy opportunities towards the State Department surrounding the present situation in Libya later this week!
Update II: The U.S. government response to the present crisis has been little more than weak-kneed. In an interview yesterday, State Department spokesperson described the Qaddafi regime’s targeted killings of civilian protesters as a matter of internal concern:
"This is ultimately and fundamentally an issue between the Libyan government, its leader and the Libyan people," [Crowley] told reporters. "We have grave concerns about the Libyan response to these protesters. We continue to be guided by our fundamental principles: we don’t want to see any further violence."
The U.S. government is dragging its feet in response to the present crisis in Libya. Call the U.S. State Department now to urge Secretary Clinton to support the implementation of a no-fly zone over Libya, seek justice for Col. Qaddafi’s crimes at the International Criminal Court, and take steps to further isolate Col. Qaddafi from the international community. Take action now: call Secretary Clinton at 202-647-5291, and let her hear the voice of the movement for justice and peace in Libya.