UNITED STATES - UN suspends Libya
Published:Thursday | March 3, 2011 | 12:00 AM
UNITED NATIONS (AP):
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly suspended Libya from its top human-rights body as governments worldwide pressured Muammar Gaddafi to halt the deadly crackdown on his people.
The 192 UN member nations voted by consensus on the council's recommendation to suspend Libya's membership on the UN's top human-rights body for committing "gross and systematic violations of human rights." General Assembly President Joseph Deiss called for the vote and signaled its adoption by consensus by banging his wooden gavel.
The resolution sponsored by Arab and African states also expressed "deep concern" about the human-rights situation in Libya.
It is the first time any country has been suspended from the 47-member council since it was formed in 2006. Based in Geneva, the council is charged with strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.