NATO Responsible for Crimes against Humanity in Libya

An Urgent Call for Humanitarian Intervention in Sirt and Bani Walid

By Global Research
Global Research, October 07, 2011
Algeria isp 7 October 2011
Region:
Theme: ,

The disastrous situation of the Libyan cities of Sirte and Bani Walid, which are facing genocide as well as the widespread devastation of their infrastructures.

The situation is deteriorating badly with every day and every hour that passes in Sirte and Bani Walid as these two major cities have been held under siege for months and their citizens are suffering critically from a lack of basic necessities. NATO and the Rebels are bombing civilian areas, killing innocent people and families, destroying homes, hospitals, schools, hotels and public buildings (the links below demonstrate a number of cases).

What we have seen in some residential areas of Sirte, such as the No. 2 area and the Aljeaza area which have been attacked and bombed by NATO and the Rebels numerous times, could constitute crimes against humanity: the total destruction of homes, victims who are mostly children, elderly people and women, who have committed no sin but simply want to live in peace in their homeland. Even those who have attempted to leave the cities have been mistreated and abused by the Rebels of the National Transitional Council who act in revenge and search for displaced people at the gates, often refusing to allow them to leave and denying them passage because of their title, tribal affiliation or connection with the government.

The humanitarian situation in the city of Sirte is tragic and extremely dire. Sick and injured people, pregnant women and victims of the bombings do not have access to the hospital and medical assistance due to a lack of fuel for their vehicles and even if they were able reach help, they face a tragic lack of medication, medical equipment and oxygen. The hospital is crowded, full of serious and critical cases and many pregnant women have had to deliver babies in their homes; this has lead to complications that have caused increases in deaths among mothers and infants. A scarcity of oxygen and a lack of medical materials necessary for operations and cesarean sections have even endangered the lives of those who have been fortunate enough to reach the hospital.

The hospital in Sirte is in a very miserable state of affairs. Added to the lack of basic equipment and medicine, the hospital is suffering from a severe shortage of fuel that is vital for generating the electricity needed to operate essential medical machinery and devices.

The intense bombardment of the city and the destruction of its infrastructure by NATO and the Rebels, the situation has become catastrophic. All sewage works and soiled water networks throughout the city have been destroyed and are fuelling the spread of epidemics and disease, especially in densely populated areas.

The prospect of starvation and severe malnourishment is now on the horizon with grave shortages in basic foodstuffs, especially baby formula and clean drinking water.

We also want to inform you that there are thousands of young people in secret prisons and facing torture by militias of the Council and there are cases of brutal kidnappings and violent murders because of political affiliations or personal, tribal or family revenge.

You must see what is happening in Libya is a civil war rather than a conflict between the regime and opposing forces and therefore you cannot place your confidence in any of the parties involved. You cannot believe anything you are told from either side but must verify the facts and find the truth for yourself.

I now urge you to please take practical steps on the ground for the sake of the people and in as swift a manner as possible. Delivering aid by air or land in collaboration with the displaced or residents of the suburbs will provide life-saving relief.

We can help you by securing a direct connection with civilians in the city to assess their fundamental needs and to coordinate the best methods of delivering aid to them.
Listed below are a number of urgently needed medical supplies for the hospital requested from staff currently working there:

1.Oxygen
2.Antibiotics
3.Pain relief medication and antipyretic
4.Internal & external fixation
5.Intratracheal tubes
6.Anesthesia medications
7.Sterile materials cotton bandages
8.Diabetics, HTN and heart disease medication
9.I.V. fluids
10. Surgical sutures & surgical needles
11. Medicals, foods & milk, napkins for children
12. Sterile gloves and gowns
13. Cannula
14. Asthma mediaction

Support Videos:
We have included below a list of video links showing a number of civilians who have been killed by the indiscriminate shelling of the city by NATO forces and the National Council:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVhcHLJKSaI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rhgkqNk3U4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrrz0KQXrXg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4Sd68tq5OQ&feature=relate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeGxvS-E-iA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz1SKIwbSXk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgYCg73Zqog&feature=related
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=143483322413987
http://www.youtube.com/user/42alfatah#p/u

These are but a few of the many filmed instances of evidence documenting the deaths of people and the destruction of homes, mosques, schools and other infrastructure facilities of the city.

We also wish to highlight two cases of severe and appalling human rights abuses, instances of which are now prolific:

Case 1:

This video (Arabic speech with a Libyan accent) shows a student from Aljmail City who was kidnapped and tortured by rebels from Zwarah City:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A–YAUUgMrg

Case 2:
Hatem Nasr Remaly (pictured below) lived in the Janzour area in Tripoli. He was single and was born in 1979. He was arrested on Saturday 24th September 2011 by the so-called Janzour Military Council. Mr Remaly worked for internal security. He died as a result of his subjection to cruel and brutal torture.
Gamal Abdel-Salam Remaly was born in 1968, was married and had three daughters. He was also killed by an armed member of the militia loyal to the named Council. Nasser Remaly, the brother of Gamal Remaly and cousin of Hatem Remaly was also was tortured on Sunday 25th September 2011. His family was asked to take him as he was not guilty!

Hospital report (Arabic)


 
Articles by: Global Research

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