Egyptians are organizing donations of medical aid they will bring to the Libyan revolutionaries who have been engaged in a bloody revolution for three days. Some aid has already arrived from Egypt and fifteen volunteers with aid donations will leave today in a convoy bound for Libya.
Massive and horrific carnage is taking place in Libya as Ghadaffi’s military and foreign mercenaries massacre unarmed people standing up to demand their freedom. Hundreds have been killed and hospitals are overwhelmed with 1000s of wounded. People are being mowed down in the streets and even in the windows of their own homes. There are videos posted on YouTube of horrific violence. They are graphic and I have chosen not to post them here, but you can find links to them and up to date commentary in the liveblog here and here.
What can we in the U.S. do to support the Libyans?
Some will question what kind of leverage the U.S. will have with Ghadaffi. Dave Houck in the comments, answered this better than I can:
[M]any governments and organizations throughout the world that do have more direct influence on Kadafi's regime than we do. Our White House and State Department can, if they so choose, bring to bear enormous influence through back channels and behind the scenes. Additionally, public statements made by our government's top officials can have a very supportive effect on the demonstrators themselves. Knowing that the whole world is watching and that the world community sees their cause as just can give hope to the protesters.
Although it's the weekend and we may not catch anyone in an office unless they care as much as we do, we need to do whatever we can NOW to stop the carnage. The Libyans cannot turn back now. They and their families will only be hunted down by Ghadaffi. We must do all we can to support these brave freedom fighters.
This tweet came in around 9 am EST:
ShababLibya LibyanYouthMovement
now we feel really helpless... #Libya #Feb17
32 minutes ago
And this around 11 am EST:
Libyana Americana
Cyrenaican Libyana Americana
by monaeltahawy
"Im not afraid to die, Im afraid to lose the battle" a friend of mine in #Benghazi yesterday who was involved in battle for Fadheela #Libya
20 minutes ago
And in case you were wondering if our help really is wanted and needed:
Cyrenaican Libyana Americana
by ShababLibya
Please, we need people to contact the Obama administration and the United Nations to demand they do something about Libya #Feb17 #Libya
1 hour ago
Libyan4life I can't believe people are wondering what the US the worlds SUPER POWER can do for #Libya. Are you kidding, u can't think of a thing? Food?
less than 20 seconds ago via web
Everyone needs to BOMBARD, BOMBARD @PJCrowley asking, imploring why the US has said nothing but being ''concerned' about #Libya.
about 1 hour ago via web
Food shortages, nonexistent medical supplies and continual killings make it a scary and grave situation in #Benghazi. #Libya wont give up!
about 1 hour ago via web
Please do all that you can today.
ACTION TO SUPPORT THE LIBYAN REVOLUTIONARIES
Media:
Egyptian media is now in Libya. Western media does not have feet on the ground. The Libyan revolutionaries have managed to contact CNN and French radio via satellite phone to share eye witness reports and beg for help from the world. Sky just broadcast a report. The Libyan twitter relay teams are overwhelmed with media requests. I hope this means they are dealing with reporters not just taking statements from protesters.
NPR: Please call in to shows and support the Libyans.
The White House
Please call the White House and urge President Obama to condemn the massacre of the Libyan protesters.
PJ Crowley issued a written statement today. It would be good to hear from the president as well.
Yahoo News is reporting that Crowley's statement strongly condemned the use of 'lethal force' in Libya and "called on Tripoli to allow peaceful protests after "credible reports" of hundreds of casualties in a government crackdown". The statement continued:
"The United States is gravely concerned with disturbing reports and images coming out of Libya," ....
"We are working to ascertain the facts, but we have received multiple credible reports that hundreds of people have been killed and injured in several days of unrest -- and the full extent of the death toll is unknown due to the lack of access of international media and human rights organizations."
....
"We have raised to a number of Libyan officials, including Libyan Foreign Minister Musa Kusa, our strong objections to the use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators," said Crowley.
"Libyan officials have stated their commitment to protecting and safeguarding the right of peaceful protest. We call upon the Libyan government to uphold that commitment, and hold accountable any security officer who does not act in accordance with that commitment."
This Libyan tweeter makes an important point to consider when leaving your message:
iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
by monaeltahawy
To clarify, Libyans do not want any Western power to intervene or interfere, just want to hear someone denounce Gaddafi for killing them
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone Numbers
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
Webform for email: www.whitehouse.gov/contact
You can also comment on the WH FaceBook page.
If you need text for an email or a FaceBook post, Dave Houck wrote an excellent one:
Please do everything you can to stop the killing of protesters in Libya, and to support those who peacefully protest, who courageously stand in the face of the violent responses of oppressive regimes, in countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
You, as our representative on the national stage, can not turn away from the killing of peaceful protesters in Libya. We must stand for justice and freedom.
This statement issued by Amnesty International is what we want our President and Secretary of State to say:
“Colonel al-Gaddafi must immediately put a stop to this bloodshed. He and the others directing the crackdown on protesters, and anyone else involved in abuses, must know that they will be held to account.”
Instead this is what we hear:
Statement by the President on violence in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen
February 18, 2011
I am deeply concerned by reports of violence in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen. The United States condemns the use of violence by governments against peaceful protesters in those countries and wherever else it may occur. We express our condolences to the family and friends of those who have been killed during the demonstrations. Wherever they are, people have certain universal rights including the right to peaceful assembly. The United States urges the governments of Bahrain, Libya and Yemen to show restraint in responding to peaceful protests, and to respect the rights of their people.
Supporters of the Libyan people gathered outside the WH yesterday with the message:
Congress
Contact your elected representatives and ask them to publicly condemn the atrocities in Libya. Tell him/her you are a constituent and you’d like him/her to urge the President and Secretary Clinton to condemn the atrocities in Libya and intervene on behalf of the Libyans. If you are not comfortable asking for this, then say whatever you are comfortable saying. You might not be able to get through on a weekend but please try communicating with them via their FaceBook pages.
Senators: You can find contact information for your senators here
Representatives: You can look up your representatives here
Or simply call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
US State Department
Contact the State Department and urge that Hillary Clinton to publicly condemn the atrocities in Libya. We have heard nothing from Hillary Clinton about Libya all weekend, but PJ Crowley issued a written statement on Sunday. It would be good to hear from Clinton as well.
Yahoo News is reporting that Crowley's statement strongly condemned the use of 'lethal force' in Libya and "called on Tripoli to allow peaceful protests after "credible reports" of hundreds of casualties in a government crackdown". The statement continued:
"The United States is gravely concerned with disturbing reports and images coming out of Libya," ....
"We are working to ascertain the facts, but we have received multiple credible reports that hundreds of people have been killed and injured in several days of unrest -- and the full extent of the death toll is unknown due to the lack of access of international media and human rights organizations."
....
"We have raised to a number of Libyan officials, including Libyan Foreign Minister Musa Kusa, our strong objections to the use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators," said Crowley.
"Libyan officials have stated their commitment to protecting and safeguarding the right of peaceful protest. We call upon the Libyan government to uphold that commitment, and hold accountable any security officer who does not act in accordance with that commitment."
This Libyan tweeter makes an important point to consider when leaving your message:
iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
by monaeltahawy
To clarify, Libyans do not want any Western power to intervene or interfere, just want to hear someone denounce Gaddafi for killing them
Secretary Hillary Clinton 202-647-5291
You will only be able to leave a message at this number, but Monday - Friday you can reach a live human being at the office of the Deputy Secretary of State. Ask Mr. Steinberg to relay the message to Secretary Clinton.
Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg 202-647-8636
Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA)
Assistant Secretary Jeffrey D. Feltman 6242 202-647-7209
Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues
Ambassador-At-Large Clint Williamson 202-647-5072
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
Philip J. Crowley 202-647-6607
Tweeted at 10:30 EDT
PJCrowley Philip J. Crowley
by monaeltahawy
#Libya continues to restrict outside communications but it cannot hide the mounting death toll as it cracks down on peaceful protesters.
1 hour ago
A Libyan twitterer asks that we bombard PJ Crowley with this tweet: #Libya is crying for help. US must condemn and intervene in the massacre. Maybe it worked?
The United Nations
Please contact the United Nations Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and ask them to condemn and intervene in the massacre happening in Lybia. You can sign also this petition :
To: United Nations
People of the world, please do not stand by and let Muamar Gaddafi Kill the people of Libya for merely trying to voice their request for Democracy, as many countries have done successfully. By signing this petition you are urging the United Nations to intervene, and to do the best they can convince Muamar Gaddafi to step down as the leader of Libya. Medical Aid is requested, as is media coverage in Libya. Gaddafi will massacre the masses if we remain silent. Please act quickly, time is of the Essence.
Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 600
New York, NY 10017 USA
Tel: 1 917 367 2589
E-mail: osapg@un.org
Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
Francis Deng
Special Adviser of the Secretary-General
Edward Luck
email form: http://www.un.org/...
United Nations Human Rights Council
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay
General Inquiries:
Telephone: +41 22 917 9220
Claire Kaplun
Media Relations Officers
Tel.:+41.22.917.9657
Email: ckaplun@ohchr.org
Momoko Nomura
Tel.: + 41 22 917 9304
email: mnomura@ohchr.org
Bahrain / Libya: UN experts urge authorities to guarantee right to protest without fear of being injured or killed
GENEVA (Friday 18 February 2011) – A group of UN human rights experts* urged Friday the Governments of Bahrain and Libya to guarantee the right to peaceful protest and immediately cease the use of excessive and lethal force.
“We are alarmed and shocked by the number of peaceful protesters who have been injured or killed in both countries during the violent crackdown by the authorities,” stated the experts.
Reports indicate that seven protesters have died in Bahrain in the past few days and at least 24 in Libya, with some sources reporting up to 50 deaths, as well as hundreds of people injured as a result of disproportionate and lethal force.
“Excessive use of force is never an option and is never justified in controlling peaceful demonstrations,” warned UN Rapporteur on summary executions, Christof Heyns. “Those responsible must be held accountable.”
“When Governments authorise lethal force to suppress the peaceful voice of dissent, such conduct violates their international obligations. The Governments of Bahrain and Libya must honour their commitments to respect the right to life of their people,” Mr. Heyns said.
Beatings and other acts of ill-treatment by security officials causing severe pain and suffering, including long-term physical harm, have also been reported.
Given the number of people who have been injured and are in critical condition, the experts urged authorities to ensure access to immediate medical care to avoid the death toll rising further.
Demonstrators have gathered across the country in Bahrain and Libya since 14 and 15 February respectively, calling for democratic reforms and respect for human rights.
“People must be able to express their legitimate grievances through public and peaceful demonstrations without fear of being injured, beaten, or killed,” stressed Frank La Rue, UN expert on freedom of opinion and expression. He also called upon the authorities to ensure that journalists can work safely and freely to inform the public locally and globally of what is happening, and that all means of communication, including the internet, remain open and accessible.
In Libya, reports indicate that a number of protesters have been arrested by security officials. “The authorities of Libya and Bahrain must ensure that the demonstrators are not arbitrarily detained,” urged the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, El Hadji Malick Sow.
In light of the recent wave of demonstrations in the region, the group of UN independent experts reiterated their call to the authorities to ensure that the right to demonstrate peacefully is fully guaranteed, and to take concrete steps to address the concerns of the people, rather than suppressing their voices with force.
(*) Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Mr. Frank La Rue; Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Mr. Christof Heyns; Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Ms. Margaret Sekaggya; Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Mr. Juan Mendez; Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Mr. El Hadji Malick Sow.
http://www.ohchr.org/...
United Nations in New York (UNHQ)
Caroline Petit, petitc@un.org
United Nations in Geneva(UNOG)
Yvette Morris, ymorris@unog.ch
From Ralph Lopez, not sure what jobs these people have.
Libyan Offices in the U.S.
The Libyan Mission to the UN
The Permanent Mission of Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the nited Nations
309-315 East 48th Street
New York, NY, 10017, USA
Phone: +1-212-752-5775
Fax: + 1-212-593-4787
E-mail: libya_mis_us@foreign.gov.ly
Business hours: 9am - 5pm (Monday to Friday)
Representative Office of Libya in Washington,United States
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW,
Suite 705
Washington D.C. 20037
United States
Phone: +1-202-944-9601
Fax: +1-202-944-9606
If you are not in the U.S., you can find embassy offices world wide here .
Medical Assistance for Libya
Please contact these agencies and ask them to send assistance to the hospitals in Libya.
Red Cross Canada
National Office
170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 2P2
Tel: (613) 740-1900
Fax: (613) 740-1911
email - judi.fairholm@redcross.ca
Red Cross USA
Email form: http://www.redcross.org/...
Phone: (202) 303 – 5000 - Main menu
(202) 303 – 5214 - Staff / dept directory
American Red Cross National Headquarters
2025 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Red Cross Europe
Rue Belliard 65, box 7
1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 235 06 80
Fax: +32 (0)2 230 54 64
Acting Director
Mr. Ulrich Cronenberg
Tel: +32 (0)2 235 06 85
ulrich.cronenberg@redcross-eu.net
World Health Organization
Address: Avenue Appia 20
Postal Code: 1211
City: Geneva 27
Country: Switzerland
Telephone: +41 227912111
Fax: +41 227913111
Email: info@who.int
Head of the organization: Margaret Chan
International Health Organization
USA OFFICE:
48 Garden Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Phone: +001 (617) 254-5077
Email: administrator@ihousa.org
THANK YOU for all that you do. There are lives in the balance.