Death of a dictator
Subtitle: bloody vengeance in Sirte
By: Peter Bouckaert
Contributors: Human Rights Watch (Organization)
Publisher: Human Rights Watch
Published: 2012
Place of publication: [New York, N.Y.]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 58
ISBN-13: 9781564329523
Subjects: Extrajudicial executions; Kings and rulers; Assassination; History
Other titles: Bloody vengeance in Sirte; Libya :
Description: "Death of a Dictator investigates the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, his son Mutassim Gaddafi, and members of the convoy that fled Sirte with them. It presents evidence that Misrata-based militias, after capturing and disarming members of the Gaddafi convoy and bringing them under their total control, brutally beat them before executing dozens. These killings comprise the largest documented execution of detainees committed by anti-Gaddafi forces during the eight-month conflict in Libya. The execution of persons in custody during a conflict is a war crime. One year later, Libyan authorities have neither investigated nor held accountable those who committed these crimes, a failure that undermines efforts by Libya's authorities to ensure the rule of law"--Provided by publisher.

"This 58-page report details the final hours of Muammar Gaddafi's life and the circumstances under which he was killed. It presents evidence that Misrata-based militias captured and disarmed members of the Gaddafi convoy and, after bringing them under their total control, subjected them to brutal beatings. They then executed at least 66 captured members of the convoy at the nearby Mahari Hotel. The evidence indicates that opposition militias took Gaddafi's wounded son Mutassim from Sirte to Misrata and killed him there. Under the laws of war, the killing of captured combatants is a war crime, and Libyan civilian and military authorities have an obligation to investigate war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law"--Publisher's website.
Notes: "This report was researched and written by Peter Bouckaert ..."--P. 49.

Includes bibliographical references.

Also issued online via the Human Rights Watch Web site.
Table of contents: title: Summary; title: Recommendations; title: I. Background; title: II. The flight from Tripoli and final days in Sirte. Attempted escape from district two, morning of October 20; title: III. The capture of Muammar Gaddafi and his inner circle; title: IV. The capture and death of Muammar Gaddafi; title: V. Summary executions at the site of Muammar Gaddafi's capture; title: VI. The capture and execution of Mutassim Gaddafi; title: VII. Executions of detained convoy survivors at the Mahari Hotel; title: VIII. Legal standards and the failure of Libya's interim authorities to investigate; title: IX. Response of the transitional Libyan authorities; title: Acknowledgements; title: Appendix A. Human Rights Watch letter to the transitional Libyan authorities, June 20, 2012; title: Appendix B. Letter from the transitional Libyan authorities, July 9, 2012.