WASHINGTON – The Senate this evening passed, by unanimous consent, a resolution applauding the courage of the Libyan people and condemning the gross and systemic violations of human rights.
U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was an original co-sponsor of the resolution calling on Muammar Qadaffi to end the violence, resign, and permit a peaceful transition to democracy. It also welcomes the passage of UN Security Council resolution 1970, which referred Libya to the InternationalCriminal Court, imposed an arms embargo, froze assets, and banned international travel for Qadaffi, members of his family, and senior advisors. It also calls for Qadaffi to release prisoners who have been arbitrarily detained and ensure civilian safety by granting access to human rights and humanitarian organizations. The resolution also encourages the United Nations Security Council to take further action to protect civilians, including the potential imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.
In a statement issued onFriday, Senator Coons said: "I am deeply concerned about the human rights abuses being perpetrated against the Libyan people by Qadaffi and the possibility of a humanitarian disaster as he desperately struggles to hang on to his despotic regime.”
The resolution, S.Res.85, was introduced by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and cosponsored by Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), in addition to Senator Coons.