004/11_PM African Commission on Human and
Peoples' Rights v. Libya (Provisional Measures)
AFRICAN COURT ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES' RIGHTS
IN THE MATTER OF
AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES' RIGHTS
V.
GREAT SOCIALIST PEOPLE'S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA
APPLICATION No. 004/2011
ORDER FOR PROVISIONAL MEASURES
The Court composed of: Gérard NIYUNGEKO, President; Sophia A.B. AKUFFO, Vice President; Jean
MUTSINZI, Bernard M. NGOEPE, Modibo T. GUINDO, Fatsah OUGUERGOUZ, Joseph N. MULENGA,
Augustino S.L. RAMADHANI, Duncan TAMBALA, Elsie N. THOMPSON and Sylvain ORE - Judges; and
Robert ENO - Acting Registrar,
In the matter of:
AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES' RIGHTS
v.
GREAT SOCIALIST PEOPLE'S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA
After deliberations,
Having regard to the application dated the 3rd of March 2011, received at the Registry of the Court on 16
March 2011, by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (hereinafter referred to as the
Commission), instituting proceedings against the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
(hereinafter referred to as Libya), for serious and massive violations of human rights guaranteed under the
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (hereinafter referred to as the Charter);
Having regard to Article 27 (2) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the
Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (hereinafter referred to as the Protocol)
and Rule 51 of the Rules of Court;
Makes the following Order:
1. Whereas, in its application, the Commission submits that it received successive complaints against
Libya, during its 9th Extraordinary Session held in Banjul (The Gambia) from the 23rd of February to the 3rd
of March 2011;
2. Whereas, the Commission submits that the complaints allege:
- that following the detention of an opposition lawyer, peaceful demonstrations took place on the 16th of
February 2011 in the Eastern Libyan city of Benghazi,
- that on the 19th of February 2011, there were other demonstrations in Benghazi, Al Baida, Ajdabiya,
Zayiwa and Derna, which were violently suppressed by security forces who opened fire at random on the
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