WAR CRIMES COMMITTED BY BOTH SIDES OF LIBYAN CONFLICT, UN REPORT FINDS

TRIPOLI, LIBYA— Forces from both sides of the Libyan uprising are guilty of war crimes, breaches of international human rights laws and crimes against humanity, according to a UN report obtained by Globalpost, scheduled for release later this week. Both Gadhafi regime forces and revolutionary fighters committed murder, torture, arbitrary arrest and indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, the Report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Libya stated. Abuses continue to be carried out by ex-rebel fighters in a “climate of impunity,” the report added. “The Commission finds that the authorities are failing to hold accountable thuwar (revolutionary forces) who have committed serious violations including unlawful killings and arbitrary arrests,” read an advance copy of the report, to be released on Friday. The commission also stated that to its knowledge, there has been no investigation into any offences committed by ex-rebel fighters and no arrests for these crimes. National Transitional Council justice coordinator Jamal Bennor said now is not the time to put ex-rebels on trial. “It may seem we are ignoring these crimes, but this does not mean we have given amnesty to the perpetrators,” Bennor said. While a few cases against former rebels are under investigation in Benghazi and Tripoli, Bennor said it is difficult to deal with the security committees and rebel groups outside the bigger cities. There is public sympathy for the rebel forces, many of which are hailed as heroes. Bennor said it’s crucial to establish a security force and activate a new constitution before arrests can be made. Globalpost