As North African and Arab nations revolt, the season of uprisings and violence continues. “The winds of change are sweeping the Middle East and North Africa,” United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated Tuesday to the General Assembly on Libya.
“The world has spoken with one voice: we demand an immediate end to the violence against civilians and full respect for their fundamental human rights, including those of peaceful assembly and free speech,” he said before adding that the country’s unrest should be handled in International Criminal Court.
The country faces mounting problems. As casualties increase, thousands of Libyans are missing from the country’s border with Tunisia and attention is drawn to the nation’s lack of a formal Constitution.
Because of growing turmoil in Libya, the United Nations suspended it from the Human Rights Council. This was a first time occurrence.
Although violence in Libya is currently in the limelight, much of the globe’s fascination with North Africa and Arab regions resulted from Egypt’s success.
Diligent revolting against former president Hosni Mubarak toppled him last month. Unrest in Libya increased during this time.
As displeased citizens rebel, international talks about oppressive regimes remain.
The United States’ dealings with Libya are of special concern because of the humanitarian crisis and its oil rich nature.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shared a message with U.S. lawmakers about the country.
“Libya could become a peaceful democracy or it could face protracted civil war,” she said.
Although security concerns are a steep price to pay for human rights, many Arabs are persistent in their planning and work to obtain these rights.
Egyptian Gramblinite and journalist for German television, Samar Negida, shared her criticism of what many believe is the self-serving nature of the Western world and her pride in the Arab community.
When Arab people are concerned about their nations, some believe that is evidence of conspiracy theories, she said.
“Now I truly see it is not paranoia. It is the truth,” she said. “The West always sees the Arab world as people (who are) paranoid.”
The passion to withstand government attacks, death threats and murder can forever alter the region.
“We as Arabs found our unity again and while focusing on our internal rebuilding and reform, we have the dream that might be coming true soon,” she said.
As governments collapse and are rebuilt, and people’s lives are changed in the process, an international worldview of progress is emphasized by the United Nations.
“In these difficult and unpredictable circumstances, it is critical that the international community remain united,” said Ki-moon.
“It is our collective duty to stand for human rights, social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,” he said.