Un Suspension of Libya

Suspension of Libya From Membership in 2011

United States views on international law (based on the document “Digest of U.S. Practice in International Law”): On March 1, 2011, the General Assembly unanimously voted to suspend Libya's rights of membership on the Human Rights Council, following a recommendation by the Human Rights Council in its resolution of February 25, 2011 that Libya's membership rights be suspended “in view of the gross and systematic violations of human rights by the Libyan authorities.” United Nations Doc. A/HRC/RES/S-15/1. Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, announced the decision:

We had, just, a historic session of the General Assembly when all members unanimously agreed to the suspension of Libya's membership from the Human Rights Council. This is the first time that either the Human Rights Council or its predecessor, the Human Rights Commission, have suspended any member state for gross violations of human rights. And we think this is an important step forward in enhancing the credibility of the Human Rights Council, whose credibility on these issues has often, quite legitimately, been called into question. Today, the General Assembly exercised its authority to suspend a member state for gross violations of human rights. In the U.S. view, this is progress, as was last Friday's special session in Geneva for the Human Rights Council, and we hope its progress will be sustained.

Developments

Ambassador Rice's remarks including responses to reporters' questions are available at (internet link) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/2011/157522.htm. Ambassador Rice explained in her remarks that:

The protests in Libya are being driven by the people of Libya. This is about the universal human rights of the Libyan people and all people—and about a regime that has failed to meet its responsibility to protect its own population. The United States was pleased to co-sponsor this resolution along with partners from all regions of the world, which underscores the universality of this decision and the depth of the U.S. commitment to the human rights we all share.

Details

The full text of Ambassador Rice's remarks is available at (internet link) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/2011/157518.htm.

On November 18, 2011, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/11, restoring Libya's rights of membership in the Human Rights Council. The United States voted in favor of the resolution, which passed by a margin of 123 in favor, 4 against, with 6 abstaining. Ambassador Rice issued a statement welcoming the reinstatement. Her statement is excerpted below and available in full at (internet link) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/2011/177356.htm. Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, United States Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs, also delivered a statement on Libya's return to the Council, which is available at (internet link) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/2011/177360.htm.

More about the Issue

The reinstatement of Libya to the United Nations Human Rights Council marks the start of a new opportunity for the Libyan people. The General Assembly's unanimous suspension of Libya nearly nine months ago was an extraordinary and historic response to a vicious, indiscriminate campaign of violence by the Qadhafi regime. With strong support from nations in the Middle East and every region of the world, the international community demonstrated that it would not turn a blind eye to one ruler's shameful treatment of his own people.

Today's reinstatement is a significant achievement for the Human Rights Council, which demonstrated commendable leadership in requesting Libya's suspension. It is also a strong step towards regularization of Libya's role in the international system and a statement of solidarity with the Libyan people, who have made extraordinary sacrifices to pursue an inclusive and democratic future that respects and protects human rights.

Resources

See Also

• International Human Rights
• Human Rights Council
• Libya