UN rights chief condemns murder of Christians in Libya

UN High Commissioner Zeid said the beheading was a “vile crime targeting people on the basis of their religion”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. UN Photo
Geneva – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has said today that the beheading of 21 Christian men in Libya was a “vile crime targeting people on the basis of their religion” and urged Libyans to unite against extremists.
“The brutal murder of these men, and the ghastly attempt to justify and glorify it in a video, should be roundly condemned by everyone, in particular by the people of Libya who should resist the urgings of takfiri groups,”
Geneva – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has said today that the beheading of 21 Christian men in Libya was a “vile crime targeting people on the basis of their religion” and urged Libyans to unite against extremists.
“The brutal murder of these men, and the ghastly attempt to justify and glorify it in a video, should be roundly condemned by everyone, in particular by the people of Libya who should resist the urgings of takfiri groups,” High Commissioner Zeid said, referring to the ideology where one believer apostasies another and then condemns them as impure. “Murdering captives or hostages is prohibited under international law and Islamic law.”
The High Commissioner urged all parties in Libya to work towards a meaningful dialogue to bring to an end the current conflict. In particular, he urged constructive engagement with the efforts of Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bernardino León to advance an inclusive political process aimed at addressing Libya’s daunting political and security challenges.
“This is the only solution,” said Mr. Zeid. “The path to a peaceful and prosperous Libya – like anywhere else – involves upholding everyone’s human rights, irrespective of faith, ethnicity or political affiliation. Joining, copying or giving in to groups that glorify blood-letting is akin to buying a one-way ticket to disaster, not just for yourself, but for your relatives and your entire society.
Adopting extremist takfiri behaviour will simply add layer upon layer of suffering on an already suffering country – as we have seen all too clearly in Syria and Iraq.”
 said, referring to the ideology where one believer apostasies another and then condemns them as impure. “Murdering captives or hostages is prohibited under international law and Islamic law.”
The High Commissioner urged all parties in Libya to work towards a meaningful dialogue to bring to an end the current conflict. In particular, he urged constructive engagement with the efforts of Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bernardino León to advance an inclusive political process aimed at addressing Libya’s daunting political and security challenges.
“This is the only solution,” said Mr. Zeid. “The path to a peaceful and prosperous Libya – like anywhere else – involves upholding everyone’s human rights, irrespective of faith, ethnicity or political affiliation. Joining, copying or giving in to groups that glorify blood-letting is akin to buying a one-way ticket to disaster, not just for yourself, but for your relatives and your entire society.
Adopting extremist takfiri behaviour will simply add layer upon layer of suffering on an already suffering country – as we have seen all too clearly in Syria and Iraq.”

• MENA