International community has responsibility and must act now to protect Libyans

In response to fast-paced events in Libya, the international community has used two relatively new instruments: the International Criminal Court and the responsibility to protect (R2P) principle. Both are designed to deal with atrocities – the mass killing of civilians. The twin challenge is to protect potential victims and punish perpetrators. Both give primacy to domestic means of redress but imply that responsibility could fall on the shoulders of outsiders.

Related Subject(s): Human Rights and Refugees

Countries: Libya