Tell Libya's Transitional Government to Investigate Gang Rapes
- by: Jennifer P.
- recipient: Libyan National Transitional Council
Although the full extent of sexual violence during the Libyan conflict still remains unknown, Human Rights Watch has already documented nine cases of apparent gang rapes at the hands of Gaddafi forces. The victims, three men and seven women, all identify the rapists as "soldiers" or "men in uniforms," with one case involving at least seven perpetrators.
Ask Libya's National Transitional Council to investigate these allegations of sexual violence immediately.
The survivors of these assaults describe being abducted from their homes or arrested in the streets and being raped and beaten by Gaddafi soldiers. One survivor described being tortured and sexually assaulted for three days after he was arrested for burning a picture of Gaddafi.
Sign this petition to urge the National Transitional Council to investigate all allegations of sexual assault and to begin providing immediate, confidential medical treatment and counseling to sexual assault victims.
We the undersigned ask you to investigate the allegations of sexual violence at the hands of Gaddafi forces immediately. Human Rights Watch has documented nine cases of apparent gang rapes by Gaddafi soldiers. We call on you to begin providing immediate, confidential support services for the victims of sexual assault, including treatment for physical injuries and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as counseling. Given the stigma regarding sexual violence, we also ask that the transitional council support training for health care providers to screen patients for sexual assault and to deliver medical treatment discreetly to protect further injury to the victims.
