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By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 28 January 2015:
Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL) has expressed concern at the lack of commitment to any . . .[restrict]accountability measures for human rights violations by the parties involved in the UN-sponsored dialogues taking place in Geneva. It has urged that the agenda for the talks include space for such accountability.
“It is worrying to see that the agenda for these dialogues is empty of any commitments to ensuring accountability for human rights violations. Human rights should not be negotiated out or compromised but must be the focal point and cornerstone to any settlement,” explained LFJL Director Elham Saudi.
LFJL has warned in the past that measures to end impunity are vital if there is to be a lasting peace and must form part of any settlement. For this reason, the group has said that while securing the withdrawal of armed groups from all Libyan towns and cities is vital for the country’s stability, this strategy will prove ineffective if those committing human rights violations remain unaccountable for their actions.
The group went on to say that the breaches of the ceasefire called for by the Geneva talks were cause for concern and were sure to continue if no accountability measures were adopted.
Moreover, while the LFJL has welcomed the commitment to stop inciting media disinformation and hatred campaigns, “which is a vital step to the establishment of long-term peace”, the group has cautioned that any strategy to address the issue had to be applied in a way which respected human rights and should not be used as a justification by political players to curb freedom of expression as a means to achieve political gains. [/restrict]
