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Radio Wammo: Eye On The World – With Glenn Williams & Selwyn Manning

Glenn Williams hosts Eye On The World, a weekly look at foreign affairs with Scoop's Selwyn Manning. This week: Libya – International Criminal Court prosecutors seek further evidence on Gaddfi forces using rape and torture against civilians.

Run-Sheet: May 24 2011.

The NATO-led airstrikes and special forces assistance to Libyan rebels have created such a safe-zone around Benghazi that the European Union has opened a base in Benghazi – the Libyan rebel stronghold.

(0:01 – 0:59 [Audio for 0:25 to 0:43]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGlY0ZDSPRU

Kathryn Ashton is the EU's foreign affairs official who opened a branch office of the EU in Benghazi Libya stating the union is keen to give support to Libya's rebel forces.

Aid ships have been docking and unloading food, clothing, and medical supplies at Misrata.

( 0:01 – 0:42 [Audio] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DKA83wP7w4

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While the rebels continue to fight Gaddafi's forces with a mix of specialist and makeshift weapons, clearly they are winning this conflict.

(3:35 – 4:15 [Audio turned down low] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkqQGWPnIcw

In this clip uploaded by the Libya Freedom Group, rebels can be seen on the outskirts of Misrata fighting against Gaddafi land forces. Mortar fire is countered by the rebels firing AK-47 assault rifles and anti-aircraft guns mounted on the back of their utes.

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But Gaddafi loyalists continue to resist against the rebel's surge westward toward Tripoli.

Gaddafi's forces have allegedly been taking civilians hostage.

(0.01 – 0:17 [Audio turned down low] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbDEG5E0aM0

In this clip said to be a recording by Gaddafi's forces having taken civilians hostage, and transporting them to a secure location. The hostages are blindfolded and are being commanded to chant...

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Other rebels were apprehended by Gaddafi's troops but later escaped tell a story of psychological and physical torture.

One survivor tells of his five-day experience while being held in underground cells in Gaddafi's military compound in Benghazi.

(2:00 - 3:50 [Audio low] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22I4EaHqPWI

Around 70 people of all ages were stripped naked and taken into the underground cells. There they were whipped by Gaddafi's brother-in-law Abdullah Senusi. Senusi is the former head of internal security and now holds a position inside Gaddafi's military intelligence HQ. Many Libyans say he is responsible for killing thousands of Libyans and prisoners.

Sensusi told his guards to rape the captives. Then, they had their hands and feet bound, they were blindfolded, and left in the cells.

They had no water or food. The guards would enter the cells to urinate on them.

The survivor speaks of how a 70-year-old man was begging for respect. Senusi then abused him by inserting a stick inside him.

The old man later hung himself.

For five days they were beaten. Senusi then told his guards to execute the captives on gallows. Three were killed before rebel fighters stormed the area and freed some of the captives.

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The International Criminal Court prosecutors are seeking the arrest of Gaddafi for war crimes and crimes against humanity – specifically they are investigating allegations that rape has been used as a form of torture and terror in Libya.

(0:20 – 1:35 [Audio low volume] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCZLRSwb99U

Judges in the Hague are considering the evidence as it mounts, evidence that alleges Gaddafi is personally responsible for bombings, shootings, torture and terror commanded by Gaddafi, his son Saif Gaddafi and Gaddafi's brother-in-law Abdullar Al Senusi.

(0:21 - 1:06 [Audio normal volume] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG5idA3Uogk

As the International Criminal Court prosecutor said there, the matter is in the ICC judges hands. The Judges can accept the request or require more evidence to be obtained.

So what happens from here? Prosecutors will further investigate allegations of rapes; killings by sub-Sahara Africans considered as mercenaries; and war crimes committed by Gaddafi and his leaders.

Such things take time, but as we saw with regard to the NATO/Serbia conflict, despots targeted by international forces tend to be apprehended in the end.

Eye On The World broadcasts on KiwiFM and Radio Wammo at 7:40am on Tuesdays. Video on demand episodes also webcast on Scoop.co.nz.

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