UN Human Rights Council recommends reinstating Libya’s membership

The United Nations Human Rights Council today called for the lifting of the suspension of Libya’s membership, and welcomed the new Government’s commitment to protect human rights and democracy in the North African nation.

Meeting in Geneva, the Council adopted by consensus a resolution recommending to the General Assembly – which suspended Libya from the Council in March over the actions of the regime of then leader Muammar al-Qadhafi towards its population – that it now lift the suspension.

This follows the international recognition of the National Transitional Council (NTC) as having assumed authority over Libya, where pro-Qadhafi forces and rebels had engaged in fighting for months after a pro-democracy movement emerged at the start of the year.

The March decision by the Assembly marked the first time that a member was suspended from the Human Rights Council.

Today’s resolution noted the new commitments by Libya to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and to cooperate with all UN human rights organizations and mechanisms.

The Council also congratulated Libya for its willingness to cooperate with the international commission of inquiry investigating human rights abuses in the country committed since the beginning of the popular uprising.

Today the Council also adopted a range of resolutions on various human rights issues, including a mandate for the creation of a special rapporteur or expert on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence of gross violations of human rights or international law.