LONDON: The Islamic Human Rights Commission (HIRC) condemns Colonel Gaddafi's use of lethal force against anti-government protesters which can be considered a massacre and a crime against humanity. The protests continue to take place for the sixth day despite the increasing number of killings and injuries. IHRC urges all campaigners to write letters to their Foreign Secretary / Minister of Foreign Affairs urging them to call on the International Criminal Court to take action against President Gaddafi and his son Saif Al-Islam for giving direct orders to security forces to use live ammunition against peaceful protesters. The revolution of 17 February 2011 is still continuing with protesters seeking to topple President Gaddafi, the world's longest-serving ruler, who has been in power for 42 years. In reaction to this, Gaddafi has resorted to hiring mercenaries to attack protesters and ordered security forces to use live ammunition and tear gas on protesters. It has been reported that tanks and helicopter gunships full of foreign mercenaries are attacking groups of demonstrators. Reports state that at least one dead man has been hit by an anti-aircraft missile, while other bodies are riddled with heavy machine gun fire. It has also been reported that the death toll is beyond 450 with almost 3000 injuries. Hospitals throughout different cities are overcrowded with doctors reporting that hospitals have dead bodies piling up. There are desperate calls for medical supplies and blood donations. Doctors have also reported that there was a “shoot and kill policy”, with ambulances being attacked by security forces and doctors being shot dead by mercenaries in hospitals. Telephone and Internet access appears to have been cut off throughout Libya. Activists and journalists have been arrested in Tripoli. Gaddafi's son, Saif Al-Islam gave a provocative speech yesterday, 20 February 2011, in which he warned: “Libya is at a crossroads. If we do not agree today on reforms, we will not be mourning 84 people, but thousands of deaths and rivers of blood will run through Libya.” His speech will cause further unrest and instability. Seven Libyan Ambassadors worldwide have resigned in protest to the brutal killings and attacks by the government against peaceful protesters. IHRC calls on the international community to seek the arrest of Gaddafi and his son, and those implicated in the attacks on civilians in order to bringing them to justice before the International Criminal Court for the crimes they have committed. IHRC
