The UN Security Council will decide on Friday whether to impose a no-fly zone on Libya's deadly air force to stop attacks on civilians. United global pressure from people around the world has helped push the Council to a unified position before -- we need it now:
As Qaddafi's jets drop bombs on the Libyan people, the UN Security Council will decide whether to impose a no-fly zone to keep the government's warplanes on the ground.
Together, we've sent 450,000 emails to the UN Security Council, "overwhelming" the Council President and and helping to win targeted sanctions and a justice process for the Libyan people. Now, to stop the bloodshed, we need a massive outcry for a no-fly zone.
If Qaddafi can't dominate the air, he loses a key weapon in a war in which civilians are paying the heaviest price. But as long as his helicopter gunships and bombers are in the air, the death toll will rise. We have just 48 hours left -- let's hit 1 million messages to stop Qaddafi's deadly attacks before it's too late:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/libya_no_fly_zone_1/?vl
The Libyan opposition has called on the international community to help "protect the Libyan people from the crimes against humanity being committed on them". The UK Foreign Secretary says "there are credible reports of the use of helicopter gunships against civilians by government forces."
The head of NATO, meanwhile, has said that any effort to create a no-fly zone would first require a resolution from the UN. In many crises like this one, one UN country or another has vetoed strong positions -- but with Libya, something different has already begun. The Security Council's sanctions are real. UN Ambassadors say that representatives are "substantially united" that Qaddafi has to go. What's needed now is another push from the world's people.
A resolution wouldn't be a silver bullet -- the enforcement of a no-fly zone would be dangerous and complex. But even the serious threat of one could show Qaddafi that his time is up. Our governments need to know that we stand with the people of Libya, and we won't accept delay. Send them a message and forward this to friends and family:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/libya_no_fly_zone_1/?vl
The non-violent movements for democracy in the Arab world have inspired people everywhere. Qaddafi, however, chose the darkest path -- of violent repression to crush a brave and peaceful uprising. In this moment, we can see two futures for Libya: one path of prolonged violence by a dictator against his population, and one in which determined international measures support the aspirations of the Libyan people.
In these crucial days, we must recognize that our own actions, as citizens around the world, affect the fates of our brothers and sisters in Libya. And we must come together in solidarity -- with those who have been lost, and for those who struggling to survive.
With hope,
Ben, Luis, Graziela, Benjamin, Ricken, Stephanie, Rewan, and the whole Avaaz team
SOURCES
CBS, "Libya rebels beg for no-fly as bombings persist; Bombing hits road taking CBS News to front line, killing 2 children in pickup truck, slashing survivors with shrapnel":
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/07/eveningnews/main20040323.shtml
CNN, "Gadhafi launches airstrikes as civil war rages in Libya":
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/07/libya.conflict/index.html
WSJ, "NATO Chief Says a U.N. Resolution Is Needed to Establish No-Fly Zone":
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870358000457618040064115881...
U.S. Seeks Consensus On Libya At U.N.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/07/134341866/u-s-seeks-conse...
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