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October 25, 2011

Gaddafi Reportedly Buried in Desert Despite Questions Over His Death 
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The bodies of ex-Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi, his son Muatassim,
and a top aide were reportedly buried in secret this morning in the
desert. Meanwhile, calls are growing for the Libyan government to mount
an investigation into Gaddafi's death. A new video posted on the
website, Global Post, appears to show one of Gaddafi's captors
attempting to sodomize him with a knife shortly before he was killed.

Fred Abrahams, special adviser for Human Rights Watch: "I mean I think
an investigation into Gaddafi's death is critical for two reasons. The
first is if you don't do it, it sends a message that Libyans can take
justice into their own hands, and it's not just about Gaddafi, but about
all the people who collaborated and have blood on their hands from 42
years, and you don't want to send a message that even the local,
neighborhood spy can be treated in this way. And the second reason is
about reigning in the militias. You've got hundreds of armed groups and
local militias around Libya now, and if you don't begin to investigate
this case, it sends the message they can operate with impunity. And that
is extremely dangerous. The armed conflict in Libya is now done and the
time for using the gun is over. It's time to start creating civilian
control and authority and building it with the law."

Human Rights Watch is also calling on Libya's new government to secure
the nation's weapons facilities. The group said it recently discovered
two unguarded sites near Sirte that contained surface-to-air missiles,
tank and mortar rounds, large numbers of munitions, and thousands of
guided and unguided aerial weapons.



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