Libya answers criticism over human rights record

Libya has criticized warnings addressed by the Human Rights Watch organization for Libya's assuming the presidency of the UN human rights committee in 2003 to represent the continent of Africa.

A statement by the Libyan (foreign ministry) said that what was stated in the report was "lies because Libya is one of the countries which are witnessing human rights consolidation and a proof of that is the political and economic security and stability it enjoys." The official at the Libyan foreign ministry Hassounah al-Shawish said that the Human Rights Watch report came as a result of confused information for merely political intention , and it seems that it intends, under the instructions of hostile forces including Zionism, to deprive the Great African federation from becoming an international reality."

In a statement, Human Rights Watch said that by nominating Libya to assume the presidency of the next session of the human rights committee, the African governments violate their new commitment to giving a new impetus to human rights and good administration.

"Countries with dreadful rights records should never be in charge of chairing the Commission on Human Rights," said Rory Mungoven, global advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. "Libya's long record of human rights abuses clearly does not merit such a reward."