After days of bloody crackdown on innocent protestors, the international community has finally spoken out in a clear language of condemnation of the Libyan regime headed by Moammar Gaddafi. Although some would call it a delay, nevertheless the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has done the right thing to vote unanimously in imposing military and financial sanctions against Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi and his inner circle. Along with this sanction the other important decision to refer his regime's crackdown on protesters to a war crimes tribunal for an investigation of possible crimes against humanity, is most appropriate and will act as deterrence against similar use of violence by the State and other similar regimes. As US President Barack Obama rightly said: “when a leader's only means of staying in power is to use mass violence against his own people, he has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what is right for his country by leaving now”. Yes such notorious leaders like Gaddafi should find no place in the comity of nations and leaders. The international community should isolate such figures who are detrimental to peace and order of our society. Besides UN action, individual countries should also take the unilateral step to withdraw diplomatic recognition to Libya under the current violent regime of Gaddafi. The global community should with one voice condemn and isolate such leaders who resort to force and killing. We should not allow another Adolf Hitler to emerge. The UN should use the present crisis to take the vital steps needed to uphold the relevance of the UN charter, which among others include “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” and “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person”.
No Place for Brutality
Gaddafi has no right to continue in office. He should not think that the country Libya and its people are destined to be ruled by him and his family. Forty years of power is quite enough and the protest in the streets over the last few weeks should have atleast awakened him of the change that his people desired. This only showed what kind of a ruler he was—insensitive towards his own people. Rather than order a bloody crackdown on his own people who were agitating, Gaddafi could have taken some reform measures or atleast called for a dialogue with the protestors and listen to their grievances. By taking a brutal stand, Gaddafi and his family have only made themselves more unpopular and the small protest has now intensified and spread beyond control. After killing so many people, Gaddafi has no other option but to step down and allow a people’s government to take shape. The brutality of the Gaddafi regime will hopefully be brought into account. Such leaders who act with impunity should face trial for crimes against humanity. Gaddafi thought that he had the power, wealth and might to rule as though he was God. However, no ruler should ever undermine the ultimate will which lies with the people. As they say “the voice of the people is the voice of God”. Tunisia and Egypt should have woken him up but Gaddafi obviously failed to read the historic upheaval across the Arab world. He will end up paying the price for his bloated ego. Times have changed Mr Gaddafi and so should you.
No Place for Brutality
Gaddafi has no right to continue in office. He should not think that the country Libya and its people are destined to be ruled by him and his family. Forty years of power is quite enough and the protest in the streets over the last few weeks should have atleast awakened him of the change that his people desired. This only showed what kind of a ruler he was—insensitive towards his own people. Rather than order a bloody crackdown on his own people who were agitating, Gaddafi could have taken some reform measures or atleast called for a dialogue with the protestors and listen to their grievances. By taking a brutal stand, Gaddafi and his family have only made themselves more unpopular and the small protest has now intensified and spread beyond control. After killing so many people, Gaddafi has no other option but to step down and allow a people’s government to take shape. The brutality of the Gaddafi regime will hopefully be brought into account. Such leaders who act with impunity should face trial for crimes against humanity. Gaddafi thought that he had the power, wealth and might to rule as though he was God. However, no ruler should ever undermine the ultimate will which lies with the people. As they say “the voice of the people is the voice of God”. Tunisia and Egypt should have woken him up but Gaddafi obviously failed to read the historic upheaval across the Arab world. He will end up paying the price for his bloated ego. Times have changed Mr Gaddafi and so should you.
