The International Association of Democratic Lawyers issued the following statement regarding the Security Council Resolution 1973 in Libya and military actions by the United States, France and the United Kingdom’s imposition of a no-fly zone:
1. The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (“IADL”) has previously condemned the brutal repression of democratic mass demonstrations in Libya and stated that reports of indiscriminate bombing on civilians if true would violate the core principles of humanitarian law. IADL also called for an immediate end to support of Gaddafi’s regime and for the immediate end to the bloodshed of the Libyan people. IADL stressed that the Libyan regime may be guilty of crimes against humanity, which may brought before the International Criminal Court. Nonetheless, IADL opposed foreign intervention in Libya including establishment of a a no-fly zone.
2. Notwithstanding the requirement of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter that all members states of the United Nations must settle their disputes in a peaceful manner and Article 2(7) which prohibits intervention into essentially domestic matters of a country, the Security Council on March 17, 2011 passed a resolution which in the name of protecting civilians allowed for the imposition of a no-fly zone. This resolution is inconsistent with both Articles 2 (4) and 2 (7) of the Charter.
3. IADL notes that as soon as this resolution passed, peaceful methods to end the attacks on civilians in Libya were abandoned and France, the United Kingdom and the United States began military actions to impose a no fly zone in Libya, which has exposed many more civilians to potential death and injury.
4. IADL, therefore condemns this resolution and military actions based on it, at the same time as we condemn the Gaddafi’s actions against his people and demands that all such attacks end
5. IADL further reaffirms its support for the democratic movement and for a peaceful solution of the Libyan internal conflict based on principles of self-determination and non intervention.