Unite statement on Libya: Call an immediate halt to military
intervention; press for a ceasefire
4 April 2011
Unite, the biggest union in the UK and Ireland, has today called
upon the governments of the UK, France and the US to halt the air
attacks on Libya.
Unite says that the intervention is a mistake and will provoke a
lengthened civil conflict. An immediate ceasefire ought to be
called to allow for resolution through peaceful means, the union
argues.
In a statement the union says: "Unite the union believes the
attack on Libya by British, French and US forces is wrong and
should be halted.
"While holding no brief for Colonel Gaddafi and his regime, and
strongly supporting the movements now developing for democracy and
freedom across the Arab world, Unite believes the present military
intervention is a mistake because:
- It risks killing Libyan civilians while doing nothing to end
hostilities on the ground.
- It prolongs a civil conflict when what is needed is a ceasefire
followed by mediation.
- It raises the possibility of escalation leading to military
occupation of all or part of Libya, when similar occupations in
Iraq and Afghanistan have shown how disastrous and
counter-productive such interventions are. This could lead to a
wider war in the region.
- The action has little or no Arab involvement, and is opposed
by, amongst others, Russia, China and India, leaving it dependent
on those western powers whose policies have aroused deep hostility
throughout the Middle East.
- It stands in contrast to the indulgence shown by the government
to the autocrats in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere who have
been allowed to repress movements for democracy in their own
countries with impunity.
"We urge the British government to think again, call a halt to the
military action and urge a general ceasefire to be followed by
international mediation."
ENDS
For further information, please contact the Unite press office
on 020 7420 8917
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