The Organizing Committee for the April Demonstration is pleased to report that the April 1999 Demonstration was held to protest against human rights abuses in Libya under the Gaddafi dictatorship. As announced, the peaceful protest was held in front of the Libyan Mission to the United Nations, in New York, Saturday, 10 April, 1999, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The April demonstration was a grassroots effort aiming to draw attention to the condition of human rights in Libya. It was organized by Libyan independents, who were joined by other Libyans and non-Libyans in a call for freedom and justice in Libya.

As the world community evaluates Gaddafi's recent offerings, and as they review the regime's record on international terrorism, the April Demonstration comes to underscore the regime's long record of abusing the rights of Libyans and waging domestic terrorism. In April, we protest against the unjust executions of Libyan university students; against the physical liquidation and abductions of Libyans abroad, against the torture and persecution of Libyans in Gaddafi's prisons of conscience, and against the systematic abuse of basic rights and freedoms in Libya, including freedoms of association, movement, religion, and expression. The regime's record of abuses is publicized worldwide by the United Nations and independent human rights organizations, and more painfully experienced by ordinary Libyans on a daily basis. Today, as Gaddafi's regime pledges to compensate families of victims of international terrorism, his laws of collective punishment continue to terrorize the Libyan families of his opponents.

In view of current events, the April Demonstration was a timely effort by Libyans abroad, in the campaign for the rights of fellow Libyans in Libya. While we hope that the recent suspension of the UN sanctions may bring some economic relief for Libya in the near future, we are also convinced that the long-term prosperity of Libyans is fatally undermined by the regime's extensive record of corruption and brutal abuses of basic rights and freedoms.

We thank all of the participants who responded to our call, Libyans and non-Libyans, and all who supported us in planning and publicizing the April Demonstration. We also hope that more Libyans living abroad will find it within their means to hold and join future protests, and to express actively their solidarity with Libyan victims of the abusive Gaddafi dictatorship. Together against tyranny, together for freedom and justice in Libya.

Long live Libya!

The Organizing Committee for the April 1999 Demonstration, New York.

Monday, 19 April, 1999