Brussels: NATO has hit back at Human Rights Watch (HRW) report helding the organisation responsible for deaths of 72 civilians during air strikes in Libya.
In a statement issued, the western alliance asserted that it has conducted the campaign for Libya with “unprecedented care” and “precision” and to a standard exceeding that required by international humanitarian law.
“NATO has looked into each credible allegation of harm to civilians. We have reviewed all the information we hold as an organisation and confirmed that the specific targets struck by NATO were legitimate military targets. Individual allies are continuing to conduct further assessments into some of the alleged incidents,” the statement reads.
In a 76-page report published on Monday, the HRW said that it had examined in detail eight NATO air strikes in Libya that resulted in 72 civilian deaths, including 20 women and 24 children.
The New York-based rights group has called on the western alliance to acknowledge the death and compensate families of the deceased.
The New York-based rights group has called on the western alliance to acknowledge the death and compensate families of the deceased.