Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, in relation to the escalating violence in the Situation in Libya
As Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC or the Court), I am deeply troubled by the escalating violence in the Situation in Libya. Recent reports of alleged attacks carried out against the civilian population and civilian objects in Tripoli and Benghazi are a cause for great concern. Such deplorable acts of violence must immediately cease.
Pursuant to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1970 (2011), my Office may exercise its jurisdiction over any act of genocide, crime against humanity or war crime committed within the territory of Libya since 15 February 2011. Ever since the referral by the UNSC, my Office has brought cases before the Court’s judges based on the evidence collected; continued its investigative activities and has closely monitored the situation on the ground.
I hereby call upon all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from targeting civilians or civilian objects, or committing any criminal act that may fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC. I further urge all parties to the conflict to be vigilant and to take all necessary measures to prevent the commission of such crimes.
As I have previously stated in different fora, we will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those who commit crimes under the Court’s jurisdiction in Libya irrespective of their official status or affiliation. I reiterated this Office policy during a recent meeting I had with the Minister of Justice of Libya, Mr Salah al-Marghani on Friday, 18 July 2014 in The Hague.
My commitment and that of my staff to the pursuit of justice, without fear or favour, for the victims of mass crimes in Libya remains firm and steadfast.
