UN adds sexual violence as reason for sanctions in Libya

The UN Security Council has authorised action against illicit oil exports from Libya for another six months and added planning and committing sexual and gender-based violence as reasons for sanctions, despite objections from Russia and China.

Monday's vote in the UN's most powerful body was 13-0, with Russia and China abstaining.

The Netherlands and Sweden pushed for including "planning, directing or committing acts involving sexual and gender-based violence" as criteria for sanctions, citing the increasingly worrying problem in Libya especially against migrants trying to reach Europe.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow objected to sexual and gender-based violence being included in a resolution dealing with threats to international peace and security, saying those issues are considered at the Human Rights Council and the Commission on the Status of Women.

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