Statement by Michel Gabaudan, President of Refugees International

Zarzis, Tunisia – "Refugees International welcomes tonight's decision by the UN Security Council to authorize multilateral military action to protect civilians from the brutal attacks by Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi. The resolution passed this evening – with last minute U.S. leadership in support -- sets a precedent that other strongmen in the region should note when responding to the popular uprisings unfolding in their countries: namely that the world will not ignore atrocities committed against civilians.  In addition, this vote reaffirms the unprecedented level of support by the League of Arab States for international intervention to protect the people of Libya.

"It is clear that Col. Gaddafi is unwilling to negotiate. His rhetoric to 'cleanse the city of Benghazi' and labels of Libyans as 'traitors' and 'cockroaches' have been truly frightening. In taking this step tonight the Security Council is adhering to the internationally accepted principle of the 'Responsibility to Protect' (R2P) and actively supporting strong measures to protect people from real bloodshed. This evening, the UN Security Council told the world that we will not sit idly by while innocent people are subjected to the crimes against humanity we have already witnessed.

"Refugees International calls on all parties of the conflict to prioritize the protection of all civilians -- Libyan nationals and foreigners -- and adhere to international humanitarian and human rights standards."

Michel Gabaudan is with a Refugees International team in Tunisia to assess the immediate needs of those who have fled the current fighting in Libya. The team flies to Cairo on Friday, March 18.

Refugees International is a Washington, DC-based organization that advocates to end refugee crises and receives no government or UN funding. For more information, go to www.refugeesinternational.org.

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For Immediate Release: March 17, 2011
Contact: Megan Fowler, megan@refugeesinternational.org
+1-202-413-6027